With the news that unemployment is is at a near 10 year low I was tempted to post a serious blog suggesting underemployment is running at high levels. But then I read this wonderful article from the people at NewThump. So in lieu of my serious piece I have reposted the NewsThump article in its entirety below, it really summarises my thoughts in satirical form.
Worker on zero hour contract doing zero hours delighted to be ’employed’
As the latest government figures showed a drop in unemployment by 4,000, zero hour workers have sought clarification that they’re definitely not unemployed.
Despite not doing any work, or being paid any wages, zero hour contract workers have been told once again that they are a valuable part of the UK’s workforce.
Zero hour contract worker Simon Williams welcomed the reassurances, telling us, “I have a job, and that’s why I’m not in the unemployment figures.”
“I mean, it’s a job that didn’t pay me anything last week, because I’m not guaranteed any actual work. But that’s better than nothing, right?”
“Well, I suppose that technically speaking, nothing is NOT better than nothing, but you get the point.”
Unemployment falls
Government statisticians have insisted there is a big difference between people not working and not getting paid, and people with a piece of paper to say they have no work and are not getting paid.
As one senior Whitehall official explained,”People claiming job seekers allowance would love the opportunity to work zero hours for zero pay – as it removes the stigma of unemployment.”
“Getting back into the workforce routine of not doing anything and not picking up any wages is an important part of reintegrating the previously unemployed.”
“I look forward to the day when we have another two million workers not doing any work and not getting paid – our unemployment figures will look amazing.”
