TODAY is a dark day for disabled people who take great pride in the fact they go out to work at Remploy.
Behind the Government’s decision to cut hundreds of jobs for disabled workers at Remploy factories there will be much distress and misery.
The timing, of course, could also not have been worse telling 682 disabled workers just before Christmas they will soon be unemployed unless private companies move in to take over the operation.
The Government says the budget for disabled employment services could be spent more effectively with people helped into what is called ‘mainstream’ employment but it’s unclear how many will be able to find alternative work in such an incredibly competitive job market. According to the TUC, only 35 of the first 1,000 employees to be made redundant during recent Remploy factory closures have subsequently found work.
Many will just not understand why they are no longer allowed to do jobs that give them self-esteem, a chance to socialise and a feeling they are part of society as much as the work itself. It also means their parents or carers may have to give up their own jobs to provide care for them during the day as well as at night.
A properly researched and viable alternative for disabled employment should have been in action before the first Remploy cuts were announced.
