[The Sabbaticus]

'Working for the dole' could fall under several treaties outlawing slavery, seeing that 'the dole' is meant to ensure basic survival. By tying the one to the other, you would enter a legally ambiguous territory, which when challenged could be rather unpleasant for the government. Legal provisions for preventing a disruption of the local job market are therefore required, but they're rarely effective. State, federal and municipal governments are all wont in exploiting a pool of 'free labour' for the simple fact that they can and 'just-inside-the-law-but-not-really' corruption is rampant amongst these stata of government.

[Swagman]

'Working for the dole' could fall under several treaties outlawing slavery

.....so could progressive taxation.

As One is effectively working for no payment for a portion of one's income under threat of prosecution.

'the dole' is meant to ensure basic survival.

.....but not without obligation. Besides, if the hours 'worked' on such WFTD programs are paid at the minimum wage for the particular duties up to the equivalent amount of the dole payment there 'should' be no argument for 'slavery'.

[redcarpet]

Comparing WFTD to slavery is just absurd. The government doesn't own you, it is forcing you to do labour, without owning you, after a particular amount of time on unemployment benefit.

[Swagman]

Comparing WFTD to slavery is just absurd. The government doesn't own you, it is forcing you to do labour, without owning you, after a particular amount of time on unemployment benefit.

Being forced to work by the State for no payment is damned close to slavery so the comparison is apt, hence the participant should only WFTD to the equivalent hours of the min wage.