The Conservation Volunteers is reviewing its involvement in the government’s mandatory work activity scheme.
A spokeswoman for the TCV said while the charity had no plans to withdraw from schemes in which they were contractually bound, it would keep future provision under review.
It joins a long line of charities which are reviewing or have left the government’s controversial work experience schemes which sees the unemployed undertake unpaid work or lose their benefits.
Last week, Sue Ryder left the scheme with a "heavy heart" after campaign group Boycott Workfare started an “online picket” against the charity.
The group has vowed to pile the pressure on other charities involved in unpaid work experience schemes, including TCV.
The other charities on its hit list are YMCA, RSPCA, the Papworth Trust and Barnardos.
A Papworth Trust spokesman said:
“Papworth Trust believes that by being involved in mandatory work activity, we can make sure that each work placement is as effective as possible for each disabled or disadvantaged person.”
But, Barnardo's has said that it is not involved in the government’s mandatory work activity. However, a spokeswoman from Boycott Workfare insists that they have had reports of people’s experience in Barnardo’s stores. Civilsociety.co.uk called a Barnardo’s charity shop in Liverpool Huyton, which said that it was not sure if it was involved in mandatory work activity, but it had taken on job centre placements.
A Barnardo's spokeswoman said: "Barnardo’s does not take part in mandatory work activity. Our position is that we are against the principle of benefits sanctions, having successfully lobbied the government last year to drop them for young people taking part in the work experience programme.
“We have implemented processes throughout our nationwide retail operation to ensure that individual shops do not take placements via the Government’s mandatory work activity scheme. Our position has been communicated to all shop managers.”
DWP: intimidation and abuse
The Department for Work and Pensions has accused Boycott Workfare of intimidation and abuse. A spokesman said:
“It is deeply regrettable that a small number of people have targeted charities and subjected them to intimidation and abuse in an effort to disrupt the operation of this scheme. In so doing they deny many people the opportunities and help they need to get back into work.
“We’re grateful for the continued support of charities in helping unemployed people re-engage with the system and move closer to employment through mandatory work activity.”
The Boycott Workfare campaign has issued a short response:
“It is deeply encouraging that a large number of people have contacted charities and made the perfectly reasonable request that they withdraw from this scheme which does not help people into employment. In so doing they have denied the DWP the opportunity to intimidate and abuse claimants through workfare and sanctions.
“We’re grateful to those charities who have left the scheme for helping unemployed and disabled people to avoid forced unpaid work and the withdrawal of benefits.”
Boycott Workfare is planning a protest against charities involved in mandatory work activity this month
A week of action against all companies involved in such schemes, from 18 to 24 March, will involve sit-ins, protests and letters delivered to shop managers protesting against the activity.
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