“But i dont agree that the best hope for disabled workers is segregated workplaces.”
Quote from tbaldwin 04-06-07 on ‘Remploy to Close 43 Factories’ thread
Let’s inject a little honesty into the discussion. Aren’t most workers ‘segregated’ when they go to work; segregated by the constraints and disciplines of the workplace and job. Aren’t we all limited in the kind of jobs that are available to us; limited by education, qualifications, aptitude, discrimination, skills, colour of our skin, our gender, our ability, or not to kiss arse…
The reality is, as Remploy close factories, Remploy High Street Branches will shoot up. These ‘branches’ are specifically targeted at disabled people. They will offer disabled people “…specialist recruitment and development services…”
Erm…hold on a second. We already have Job Centres and disability employment advisors (DEAs) – for all the good they are; in that, they cannot create jobs; but, only act as a conduit between employers with vacancies and disabled job seekers.
So, let’s get this straight. We’ll close down Remploy factories because they segregate disabled people – forget the fact that the overwhelming majority of disabled Remploy workers choose to work there; and, indeed wish to continuing working in their factories. And, we’ll open up segregated ‘Job Shops’?
Great idea; good thinking; really joined-up, innit.
We’ve found it difficult enough getting work at Job Centres; yet, we could always apply as non-disabled people for jobs; and, take our chances at the interview stage of recruitment. But now, why the fuck will employers, who view me as a potential liability, be arsed to go to a Remploy Job Shop, when to avoid the hassle of a cripple getting through their recruitment process, they simply by-pass Job Shops?
Now, that’s what I called joined-up thinking.
