Utterly shocked at this news story.

[darklisruthven]

A group of long-term unemployed jobseekers were bussed into London to work as unpaid stewards during the diamond jubilee celebrations and told to sleep under London Bridge before working on the river pageant.
Up to 30 jobseekers and another 50 people on apprentice wages were taken to London by coach from Bristol, Bath and Plymouth as part of the government's Work Programme.
Two jobseekers, who did not want to be identified in case they lost their benefits, said they had to camp under London Bridge the night before the pageant. They told the Guardian they had to change into security gear in public, had no access to toilets for 24 hours,

Full story at : http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2012/jun/04/jubilee-pageant-unemployed

[madelaine]

Truly appalling!

[damian_steele]

The story appears to be trying to say that ordinary folk were told they did not have any choice other than to work or lose their benefits. However, the quotes from the company man appear to suggest that the workers were actually on some sort of training course and had agreed to help out. The two halves of the story don't seem to tally up. No matter what the truth, the workers should not have been treated in that manner.

[papagran40]

if this is true ? it is an absolute disgrace...and an official apology should be given to the people involved ...and the full facts given so the public can see what really did happen.......... papa.

[suesjools]

if this is true ? it is an absolute disgrace...and an official apology should be given to the people involved ...and the full facts given so the public can see what really did happen.......... papa.

Couldn't agree more. People aren't beasts of burden and deserve better treatment, regardless of their financial status.

Best wishes for many sales to all,

[PATRIOT73]

just read this article...........if true?u really shocked


n i bet more to come wi olympics

[Oldandintheway]

Disgusting!

But that would be right.
While the hoi polloi swan about on their yachts swamping down champers & generally getting the benefits of that 12 million quid cost, those poor suckers camped on concrete with no facilities & under the threat of losing meagre dole if they didn't submit.

I hope the ne're -do-wells enjoyed themselves. Typical.

[madelaine]

Disgusting!

But that would be right.
While the hoi polloi swan about on their yachts swamping down champers & generally getting the benefits of that 12 million quid cost, those poor suckers camped on concrete with no facilities & under the threat of losing meagre dole if they didn't submit.

I hope the ne're -do-wells enjoyed themselves. Typical.

I think your venom should be aimed at the security company - they were the chancers who were trying to save money on their contract. It is an industry full of low paid workers and this is just the worst we have heard about.

[PetBazaar]

I notice that there's no mention that the bus company indicated that they would be arriving at 5am, but arrived ahead of schedule.

Probably more likely to be bad management rather than exploitation.

But hey, it's in the Guardian, it must be true.

[damian_steele]

This does raise an important issue about the security surrounding the Olympic games. Apparently the security firm involved is (one of?) the same that will provide security for the games. Will they be using free (slave?) labour for the games, too? How much training are these (probably disgruntled) workers likely to get? Just how important will the areas be that these people are going to be looking after? I can't imagine it taking much skill on the part of a terrorist to avoid the attentions of a part-time, unpaid, p'd off, forced labour worker.

Then there is the question of how much the security firm are charging for each of these free workers. Why should they charge the government - and therefore the tax payer - what could be hundreds of pounds for each worker if those workers are being forced to "volunteer" on threat of losing benefits?

I think there are a lot of questions that need answering surrounding this whole episode and its ramifications. I hope that the pressure being put on the government by the likes of John Prescott to call for a full enquiry is fruitful in the not too distant future.