Edward Weick wrote:-
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If you were able to define "sustainable work", might it not lead to a
similar use of the concept -- that is, lead to its use by national and
international bureaucrats and justifiers as a mantra or cover for the
destructive stuff that really goes on. Might workfare, for example, be
referred to as a form
of sustainable work? Might Stalin have pointed with pride to the sustainable
work underway in the gulag? The gulag was, after all, created for the good
of society, just as workfare has been established for the good of the poor.
----------- I agree entirely - The idea of "sustainable work" troubles me
somewhat largely because not only our bureaucrats, but also apparently many
so-called social workers here in New Zealand, have been sucked into the
idea that work, any work, is better than no work just so long as the
unemployed are kept busy and in a state of "work readiness". A word of
explanation is in order -
It is reported today by Associate New Zealand Labour Minister Peter
McCardle that about 80 people a day have started Community Work Projects (
Workfare in New Zealand is called the 'Community Wage' - sounds much better
than 'Work-for-the-Dole). Peter McCardle boasts that the workfare scheme
here in N.Z. is widely supported by a broad spectrum of community groups
including schools, marae, Trusts, Councils and Social Organisations
including The Salvation Army and many Maori Groups. He concludes by
proudly trumpeting, "I am pleased that the Labour Party's attempt to drum
up a boycott has failed because the people it would have harmed are the
jobseekers who need work opportunities the most".
Needless to say none of the negative characteristics of workfare have been
mentioned such as the degrading nature of workfare and the fact that many
of the unemployed unfortunate enough to get caught up in the scheme will be
highly qualified and capable of better things than being forced to take
part in workfare - there is no choice because it is either that or have the
benefit cut.
As you say - it is uncomfortably similar to Stalin pointing with pride to
the sustainable work underway in the Gulag and raises questions about the
'meaning of work'.
Ross Swanston
