Sinn Féin Calls For JobBridge Scheme To Be Scrapped

Sinn Féin has called on the government to scrap the JobBridge scheme.

TD and Spokesperson for Social Protection Aengus Ó Snodaigh said that while some may have had a positive experience on the scheme, it "leaves thousands of jobseekers vulnerable to exploitation".

Deputy Ó Snodaigh made the comments following the publication of a report by the National Youth Council.

"It is a scheme that has already reduced the number of real job opportunities available and if it is not closed down now then thousands of new paid entry level positions that should come into being in the months and years ahead will emerge as unpaid internships instead," Deputy Ó Snodaigh said.

"A 100% dissatisfaction rate from those who felt they had been forced into the scheme by the Department of Social Protection holding their access to welfare ransom speaks for itself. 44% of those surveyed in the report feel they were treated as free labour. How can we treat people like that in a fair society?"

"Sinn Féin is committed to bringing about a fair recovery. We are focused on getting people back to work and bringing our young people home. That is why we have brought forward an alternative."

"It envisages a substantial increase in the range of apprenticeships available. The model we propose would not displace apprenticeships, paid in-work training or jobs. It would afford those genuinely in need of some work experience with meaningful learning opportunities."

"The government rhetoric that JobBridge is working is clearly a falsehood. It is a scheme that maximises the benefits to the employer through free labour and the government through lower live register figures, while minimising any benefit to workers."

"Sinn Féin's proposals maximise decent pay for decent work."

(MH/CD)