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From The Socialist newspaper, 23 June 2021
Furlough reduction risks job losses
Unions must fight for full pay
Joining a protest for PPE, full NHS & care funding, and full pay for all (Click to enlarge)
Michael Morgan, Coventry Socialist Party
Despite the Tory government extending coronavirus restrictions until 19 July, rather than bringing them to an end on 21 June, the furlough scheme will continue to be downgraded and gradually dismantled as planned. This means that from the 1 July the employer will be expected to contribute 10% of workers' wages, and the government will only provide 70%.
Not only is this a slap in the face to workers who are already on 80% of their often-low wages and still expected to pay 100% of their rent, but it will likely lead to job losses. There were 1.2 million more claiming out-of-work benefits in April of this year compared to March 2020. More than that, in the last year alone, 289,000 under-25s were taken off payrolls.
Industries such as hospitality, which a lot of young people work in, will be especially hard hit by the changes. Extended restrictions mean some businesses will remain shut, and will be unwilling, or unable, to pay 10% of wages to retain staff.
The BBC has reported that "record numbers of young people are also choosing to stay in education and are not looking for work" - but it has ignored the fact that in many cases young people's choice is between minimum wage, zero-hour contracts and poor working conditions, or further study. They do not have the opportunities to find well paid and stable employment.
Trade unions must lead the fight for better-paid, more stable jobs for all, a real living wage of £12 an hour as a step towards £15, and full pay for those on furlough and those asked to self-isolate.
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The coronavirus crisis has laid bare the class character of society in numerous ways. It is making clear to many that it is the working class that keeps society running, not the CEOs of major corporations.
The results of austerity have been graphically demonstrated as public services strain to cope with the crisis.
The government has now ripped up its 'austerity' mantra and turned to policies that not long ago were denounced as socialist. But after the corona crisis, it will try to make the working class pay for it, by trying to claw back what has been given.
- The Socialist Party's material is more vital than ever, so we can continue to report from workers who are fighting for better health and safety measures, against layoffs, for adequate staffing levels, etc.
- When the health crisis subsides, we must be ready for the stormy events ahead and the need to arm workers' movements with a socialist programme - one which puts the health and needs of humanity before the profits of a few.
Inevitably, during the crisis we have not been able to sell the Socialist and raise funds in the ways we normally would.
We therefore urgently appeal to all our viewers to donate to our Fighting Fund.
In The Socialist 23 June 2021:
What we think
Chesham and Amersham by-election
NHS
NHS in crisis - 'It's time for action'
Outsourced London hospital workers fight for better pay
Leicester private healthcare tragedy
Exeter Trades Council backs NHS protests
News
Sacking non-vaccinated care workers will not save lives
Furlough reduction risks job losses
Building back better? Fight for a socialist recovery
Anti-protest bill breaches human rights
Tories deliberately underfund childcare
Unite election
Unite general secretary contest: Vote for Sharon Graham
NSSN conference 2021
NSSN conference 2021: When given a lead workers will fight
Women
Women and the criminal 'injustice' system
Tory review won't deliver justice for rape victims
International
Are Biden's immigration policies a break with Trump's?
Workplace news
Interview with newly elected Unison NEC member and hospital worker
Gateshead: Bosses sack sparks protesting for safety measures
Oaks Park school strike against bully bosses
Leicestershire engineers' fifth week of strikes against fire and rehire
DVLA dispute: Escalation needed
Warehouse workers fight 50% cut in redundancy pay
Carmarthenshire: Fighting for trade union recognition at council-owned company
Campaigns
TUSC calls for local 'People's Budget' campaigns
Youth Fight For Jobs: more urgent than ever
London Socialist Party young members' day school
'Socialism is the hope of the world'
Readers' Opinion
Response to Observer article on China
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