A blog a day #14 - if I...ran the country (work)

Digits.co.uk Images, CC BY 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

I don't have an interesting (if I ever do) life update today so instead here's how I'd run this country's approach to the workforce. Or at least the policy standpoints I'd take if I was ever minded to become a politician!

Work

All people aged 23 - 60 would be required to work with a cap of 40 hours per week. The recommended maximum to employers from government would be 32 hours. Work would be banned on Sundays with the exception of emergency services, leisure facilities, cafes and restaurants. Pubs would also be closed and professional sport would be banned on Sundays. Employers breaching these conditions would be fined with money being diverted to the culture and leisure sector.

On appointment, all employers would be required to pay the national living wage, which would be adjusted to meet current costs. Wages would increase as standard with the inflation rate and employers not complying would face frozen assets until the government recouped and redistributed funds to employees.

Those unfit to work would be assessed by trained physicians and psychological staff and if deemed unfit would be given 12 weeks to get fit, during which time they would be given menial jobs keeping streets clean, working in hospitals, clearing administrative public sector tasks or helping the elderly. 

Those aged 60 and over and who have proven national insurance contributions throughout will be allowed to retire with a paid government pension meeting the average living wage. Private pensions would not impact this payment.

At age 75, people would be required to give up their home and would be housed in government operated sheltered accommodation with trained care providers. Freed homes would then be offered to those in the workforce on favourable mortgage conditions to support economic delivery.

People made redundant because of a failed business would automatically be employed by the government on temporary conditions in whichever role is required to be filled, while the person seeks new permanent employment.

Anyone unwilling to work, or who actively cheats the system to avoid work will be placed in the armed forces and stationed overseas for a maximum of 10 years. Workplace training and the opportunity to earn a pension will be offered.

Private company ownership would be banned. All businesses including startups would require at least two partners with 50/50 shares, split accordingly with increased ownership which would be offered to the domestic public. Foreign ownership would be banned. The government would act as a partner initially to support startups to flourish. Publicly listed companies would be required to ringfence 70% of all profits to support the welfare state.