With more than 200 activists Atos faces it today, as the two action groups organized a protest outside the company’s UK headquarters regarding its controversial work capability assessments. The French form was awarded a contract by the Department for Work and Pensions for £100m a year to conduct the WCAs, which determine whether those on disability benefit were capable of work. The outsourcer is also of the major sponsors of the London 2012 Paralympic Games Disabled People Against Cuts (DPAC) and UK Uncut claim the assessment have forced people back into work that were not in a fit state to do so and in some cases, driven them to suicide. It has has organized a number of protest in an attempt to highlight Atos as an unsuitable sponsor of the London 2012 Paralympic Games. Paddy Murphy, a spokesman for DPAC, Atos’ sponsorship of the games is beyond a joke.
With the DWP is purely beginner the medical staff that carry out the evaluation and reviews of each case and that the final ruling on whether an individual is entitled to benefits is the responsibility of the DWP and parliament the Atos has claimed. The spokeswoman told the Computer Weekly that both its government contract and Paralympic partnership dated back to the early 1990s and 2002 respectively, with the latter being more than sponsorship as it is responsible for providing IT for the Games.
She said that they fully respect people’s right to a peaceful challenge and they understand that this is a highly stirring issue, they do not make decisions on people worth entitlement or on welfare policy however they will continue to make sure that the favor they accommodate is as highly professional and understanding as it can be. The protest began at lunchtime in front of Ato’s headquarters on Triton Square near Warren Street tube station, London. The protestors later moved to Whitehall, staging their demonstration outside the DWP offices in Caxton House on Tothill Street.
REFERENCE:
http://www.computerweekly.com/news/2240162538/Paralympic-protests-against-Atos-reaches-Whitehall