I still reckon there's something to be said for nationalising all "menial" jobs - cleaning bogs, sweeping the streets, cleaning graffiti, generally fixing shit etc and doing away with job-seekers allowance entirely.

If you find yourself without a job, rock up at the job centre and you are given a "menial" job... no real questions asked... You choose your hours and the hourly rate is calculated to be the same as JSA if you work say 25 hours a week - then that leaves a good 2 hours a day to actually job hunt.

Don't want to work, then you get nothing.... simple.

Yes I know it's very generalised & probably unworkable but it's just an idea. Imagine how clean the place would be with 2.5 million people picking up litter for 5 hours every day.
(The_Mighty_Spleen, Fri 28 May 2010, 15:14, 1 reply)

It's a bit patronising to professional cleaners to suggest that any old random can clean etc. to a professional level.
Menial doesn't mean stupid.
( Bob Todd whee, Fri 28 May 2010, 15:16, closed)

Oh come on.
Anyone can pick up litter and scrub a khazi.
( 100% Cock Raw like carrots., Fri 28 May 2010, 15:18, closed)

Clearly you've never met my flatmates...

( wheresthefish Partly filled with wrong, Fri 28 May 2010, 16:52, closed)

Yes I know it is, but you could say the same about 99.9% of jobs. But if people are already being paid the money it must make sense to try and get them to actually be doing something as well.

Plus if the only way to get JSA is to do the more dull/unpleasant/soul destroying jobs that "nobody wants to do" then it might provide more incentive for the career unemployed to re-evaluate their career.

Plus when I was unemployed I wasn't hunting for jobs 37.5 hours a week.
(The_Mighty_Spleen, Fri 28 May 2010, 15:20, closed)

Good points.

( Bob Todd whee, Fri 28 May 2010, 15:27, closed)

so the pros get a promotion to supervising teams of the doley cleaners.
simple.

thats a good idea.
(Matty73, Sat 29 May 2010, 2:16, closed)