Forum Topic

Wage-Slave Hypocrisy - Andy Slaughter MP

From the Labour Party website:"Labour has announced a new drive to crack down on rogue employers who abuse vulnerable workers... The crack down will be overseen by a new Fair Employment Enforcement Board which will co-ordinate the work... by using a single telephone helpline number for vulnerable workers to report abuses the agencies will be able to better share the vital information necessary to catch rogue employers.."Labour’s Employment Relations Minister Pat McFadden said:"We want to prevent unscrupulous employers who undercut honest competition and prey on people who are fearful or so desperate to earn a living that they are open to exploitation."Would it perhaps surprise you then to find that Andy Slaughter MP offers a generous opportunity to work for no pay?

Colin Murphy ● 6161d8 Comments

So I take it when you say 'generous' opportunity, you don't really mean that?  Is that irony, or sarcasm?  I always get mixed up.

Sarah Taylor ● 6159d

I saw the word 'Hypocrisy', thanks, there's no need to be rude.  Or maybe you're accusing me of hypocrisy, in which case maybe you can enlighten me as to where I've been hypocritical.I don't see how he's exploiting anyone or being hypocritical.  He's clearly offering an unpaid role  People can take the role or leave it, as they wish.  That’s different to taking advantage of people who are desperate to earn money by paying less than the minimum wage, refusing to pay what was agreed, or charging huge amounts for squalid living accomodation.There are volunteers working for a number of charities who look after the interests of downtrodden and exploited people in this country and abroad.  Do you accuse those charities of hypocrisy too ?  Are you making an idealogical point here, or a political point against the Labour party ?

Andrew Broadbent ● 6160d

Your moral compass seems somewhat skewed if you find it acceptable for exploitation to take place if you as a tax-payer are a beneficiary, but feel that shareholders in a commercial enterprise should not enjoy the same benefit.Do you see the hypocrisy now?

Colin Murphy ● 6161d

Perhaps the operative word in the piece is hypocrisy. Not surprised you missed that one.

Colin Murphy ● 6161d

Again, I'd ask - is anyone trying to suggest that Andy Slaughter is intimidating anyone into working for him, for nothing or otherwise? That WOULD be hypocritical, but I can't see how that applies to what he's doing.  And yes, I agree with the other correspondent, unpaid volunteers are hardly unique to the labour party.  In fact some might also consider that it's very 'correct' to use volunteers, saving tax payers money and all that.

Frances McAllister ● 6161d

So are you saying that this idea of employing unpaid labour / volunteers is peculiar to the Labour Party ?  If so, I'd wager that you're wrong......

Andrew Broadbent ● 6161d

I suspect the Labour party will caveat any position as being that of "volunteer" - a useful device to "undercut honest competition and prey on people who are fearful or so desperate to earn a living that they are open to exploitation"...

Colin Murphy ● 6161d

That's a ridiculous comparison- it sounds to me as if Andy slaughter is seeking volunteer help - hardly unusual in the realm of local government or community politics which relies extensively on volunteers. Are you honestly trying to suggest that someone desperate for work would feel compelled to consider volunteer work or that Andy Slaughter has any means or reason to intimidate, coerce or otherwise exploit a desperate person into doing so?

Frances McAllister ● 6161d