Tory MP: Disabled should work for less than minimum wage

Tory backbencher Philip Davies caused outrage today by telling Parliament that disabled people should work for less than the minimum wage, reports Shamik Das.

Tory backbencher Philip Davies caused outrage today by telling Parliament that disabled people should work for less than the minimum wage. The remarks were described as “outrageous and unacceptable” by a select committee chair, and “a preposterous suggestion” by a leading charity. Davies made his comments during a debate on the Employment Opportunities Bill, which had its second reading today.

Anne Begg, chair of the work and pensions committe, said:

“These comments are utterly outrageous and unacceptable. To suggest that disabled people should be treated as second class citizens is shocking and shows just what a warped world some Tories demonstrate they inhabit.”

Davies also said people with learning difficulties should be made to work for sub-standard wages – made to work for less than £5.93 an hour.

Responding, Mind spokeswoman Sophie Corlett said:

“It is a preposterous suggestion that someone who has a mental health problem should be prepared to accept less than minimum wage to get their foot in the door with an employer.

“People with mental health problems should not be considered a source of cheap labour and should be paid appropriately for the jobs they do.”

Last month, Davies described Britain’s contribution to international aid as “stark raving mad”; more sinister were his recent comments that there was nothing offensive about ‘blacking up’.

Davies had said:

“Why it is so offensive to black up your face… I have never understood this.”

As I said before, what a sad, pathetic little man Mr Davies is.

98 Responses to “Tory MP: Disabled should work for less than minimum wage”

  1. Mister Jabberwock

    George – “Does Mr Davies also believe women and black people should have a lower-rate NMW as they are also discriminated against by some employers?” err No. I don’t agree with Philip Davies but why can’t people here argue against what he says not their irrational prejudices.

    The facts are that disabled people often find it hard to compete for jobs as their disability makes them less economically productive. That is discrimination if you like but it is rational discrimination and completely lawful. We all make that same discrimination in every aspect of our lives – when buying a service we buy the one that is best value for money and meets our needs. It is not unfair discrimination.

    Work is important to people not just for the wage it brings in. One solution would be for the state to subsidize the wage for people with certain disabilities in certain occupations; but I sort of feel it would be very difficult to avoid abuse.

    The current situation is very unsatisfactory to the disabled and very shocking – it would be good to hear alternative solutions rather than shrieks of un-thought through PC rhetoric.

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  3. Leon Wolfson

    It’s *perfectly* rational to believe that labour value should not be discounted below a certain point because of personal circumstances. That means, to me and to a lot of others, the national minimum wage.

    Giving an inch, start carving out exceptions, and the Tories will take a mile, as well – we’ll rapidly end up with large numbers of low-paid workers.

  4. Cándido Rodríguez

    Un diputado conservador británico dice que los minusválidos deberían trabajar por menos del salario mínimo. #dandoideas http://j.mp/iEAmHB

  5. Rick Seymour

    These words are just a smokescreen!
    This is the piece of legislation that was being discussed….

    http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/bills/cbill/2010-2011/0029/cbill_2010-20110029_en_2.htm#l1g1

    Tories want to set up a “Low Pay commission inquiry” to have REGIONAL minimum wages.
    MPs for Christchurch, Shipley & Ribble Valley

    They also want to have an “opt out” system….with no protections

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