Tesco's JSA-Benefit-Plus-Expenses Wage Angers Jobless

Tesco has confirmed that an advert offering a wage of "JSA + Expenses" for nightshift work is genuine.

The advert, placed with Jobcentre Plus, has angered Twitter users who have accused the supermarket giant of exploitation by not paying a proper wage.

The online outrage comes on top of multiple complaints by trade unions and young unemployed that they are being exploited by being forced into 13-week work experience as part of their entitlement to welfare benefits.

One Twitter user said that offering permanent employment while on Job Seekers Allowance, which is about £50 a week, is exploitation.

He said: "Tesco exploiting workfare schemes with "permanent" JSA positions. Unfair on jobseekers, workers, & taxpayers."

Another said: "Tesco 'every-little-bit-of-exploiting-helps' #JSA"

A customer tweeted Tesco's customer care team and was told that the advert was not a hoax.

The company replied: "We are taking part in a government-led work experience scheme to help young people that has already led to 300 permanent jobs."

The job was posted on 9 February but the term "JSA" is now trending.

Under JSA rules, a claimant who has been on the benefit for six months is told by the Department of Work and Pensions to complete compulsory work experience.

Tesco and the Department of Work and Pensions have declined to speakto International Business Times UK.