Jobseekers told to apply for sex webcam jobs
Friday 14th May 2010, 3:00PM BST.
Shropshire jobseekers have been handed applications for work on smutty X-rated websites by Government-run job centres in the county.
Unemployed women looking for clerical work were told they can earn up to £700 a week if they strip naked on webcams and have sexually explicit conversations with customers.
They were given applications for sex line jobs when they went to sign on at JobCentre Plus offices in Shropshire.
It also happened at centres in Birmingham and Warwickshire.
Faceclick, the adult agency recruiting for the work, encourages applicants to perform “activities that you feel comfortable with” when naked in front of the camera.
It features photos of its clients under various titles including “just legal 18″, “fetish” and “role play”.
Shrewsbury MP Daniel Kawczynski today joined calls for an official inquiry into the matter.
He said: “I am very concerned to hear about this and will be supporting calls by the Birmingham MP Khalid Mahmood for an investigation.
“There is no way a public department like that should be promoting work of this nature.”
One 19-year-old woman, who wanted to remain anonymous, told the Birmingham Mail she was shocked a taxpayer-funded government agency was effectively recruiting for the sex industry.
She said: “I’m desperate for work.
“But I’m not so desperate that I’m prepared to perform disgusting acts on an internet sex line.”
A spokeswoman for the Department for Work and Pensions said: “We have undertaken a public consultation on this issue and we are reviewing existing policy in light of the responses received.”
A spokeswoman for Mediawatch-UK, which campaigns for family values in the media, called for the adverts to be removed immediately.
She said: “It’s just one step away from prostitution, and it’s hardly a meaningful job for life is it?”
The Department for Work and Pensions today said it was now reviewing its procedures. Prior to 2003, the JobCentre Plus’s policy was to refuse all vacancies from the adult entertainment industry.
But this was challenged in the High Court by Ann Summers, which successfully argued it should be allowed to advertise in JobCentres.
By Russell Roberts
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If they’re able to do it, but refuse to apply, their benefits could be stopped… Them’s the rules, apparently.
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I used to work in a jobcentre and noone would even bring the vacancy to anyone’s attention let alone encourage them to apply. They certianly would not even think of cutting anyone’s money! Employers have the right to advertise their vacancies with the jobcentre as long as they are legal – the jobcentre can’t refuse as was shown in a court case some years ago.
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This was approved by the government in which Harriet Harman was a minister. Was she asleep at the wheel?
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agree a jobs a job, its legal, do it or loose your benefits doleys
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We’ve got a Centre of Free Market Enterprise open most days here in Coleham. Doubt the government will see much tax from it though.
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This is discrimination gone mad!!! Why cant men apply too?
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This is nonsense. I used to work for Jobcentreplus and no one is obliged to apply for jobs within the adult entertainment industry. It’s one of the few vacancies that has a get out clause
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Maybe Harriet Harman should apply now she’s no longer in Govt.
On the other hand not such a good idea.
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If the Conservative Government are reluctant to employ an equal number of women then what’s a girl to do?
Mind you, I can imagine Teresa May would make a good Dominatrix, and they say MP’s pay is not brilliant!
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So Daniel Kawczynski has called for an official inquiry into the matter, what if they are told a job is a job take it or lose benefits by his Bosses in the ConDem parties will he toe the line?
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MMMM i wonder how many men would apply and give this type of job ago?
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ill give it a go then( if the moneys any good)
im 27st,hairy and love a lager (which shows believe me)
come on then who wants some extras?
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no doubt it will offend religous sensibilities and the PC brigade but i reckon its moer offencsive to live off my taxes for free, so me a good love and get out there and earn a living as all women in history have had to in recessions
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