Tory Minister of State for Housing and Planning, Dominic Raab, has a low opinion of this country’s workers. He co-authored a book – along with four fellow Tory MPs – in which he described UK workers as “among the worst idlers in the world“:
Raab – who has also, in spite of his ministerial brief, voted against laws requiring houses to be fit for people to live in – is on the look-out for a new staff member. But it seems the low value he placed on the employed hasn’t changed much.
He’s advertising for someone to work for him for free:
The ad, placed on the W4MP site for employees of MPs, is fairly demanding in its requirements: good communication and admin skills, competence in IT and Microsoft Office, a strong work ethic and availability – for free – to work three or four days a week in Westminster. Travel expenses paid though, so that’s ok then.
What’s more, it contains a significant conflict. It states, presumably to excuse the lack of pay, that it would “suit a gap year student or recent school leaver“, it also wants a person with experience of working with the public.
Not a low bar for a job with no pay – and it requires (perhaps surprisingly!) compliance with parliamentary security standards and the ‘successful’ candidate must pass vetting.
As if to add insult to injury, the job description rounds off by telling applicants what they could normally expect to be paid in the role:
MPs generally pay staff in accordance with IPSA guidelines.
Generally. Just not in this case.
Applicants might also wish to know – though it’s not mentioned in the ad – that Raab’s name appeared on the Tories’ ‘sex-pest list’, an inclusion that he called ‘a form of harassment’. He strongly denied the allegations the list contained.
Comment:
The Tories never tire of claiming that ‘work is the best route out of poverty’ – even though in-work poverty has increased massively under their policies. The Tories also claim to be tough on ‘zero hours contracts’ – but apparently not ‘zero-pay contracts’.
Just don’t expect any training. For the magnificent salary of, er, zero pounds Raab wants you to come with experience and a handsome set of pre-installed IT skills.
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