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Anger over job centre adverts for nude webcam models

Marie Burchill
21/ 2/2008

Jobcentre Plus agencies have come under fire from south Manchester MP John Leech after advertising jobs asking for nude models for an online sex website.

Mr Leech MP has slammed the job listings – which ask for ‘webcam performers’ to perform for clients ‘fantasies’ and take part in ‘explicit sexual dialogue’ – saying that job centres are going ‘overboard’ to protect themselves from any litigation.

The Department for Work and Pensions – which is responsible for the Jobcentre Plus network – says it is legally obliged to list the adverts after Ann Summers took them to court in 2003.

Following the case a High Court judge ruled that Jobcentres must carry adverts for legal work in the ‘sex and personal services industries’.

However Mr Leech MP has criticised the placing of the adverts, which are being advertised in both Chorlton and Didsbury Jobcentre Plus. He said: "I think there is a legitimate concern over these adverts and that the job centres are now going overboard to avoid the potential for litigation.

"There has to be more appropriate places to advertise these jobs, given the nature of the work involved.

"I‘m not taking any moral view on this by saying that people shouldn’t be doing these jobs. But I think there are more suitable places to advertise, rather than in local job centres. I have already written a letter to Jobcentre Plus asking for clarification over their rules."

The jobs – placed by a company called Cybtrader based in Cardiff and south Wales – offer an hourly wage of between £8 and £10, for women over the age of 18, to work 15 to 40 hours per week.

On contacting the mobile number on the advert the Reporter was told that candidates interested in the job would be expected to take part in a web cam-based interview – after which suitable candidates would be hired. The employer stated that ‘full nudity’ should be expected and that a representative from the company would be online 24 hours a day via MSN Messenger in case of any emergencies.

Nathan Birks lives in Old Moat and he found the adverts while looking for acting jobs in the entertainment section at Chorlton job centre.

He said: "This is disgraceful. Young and vulnerable people need to be protected rather than exposed to these kinds of jobs.

"You just don’t know what would happen if someone were to go and meet these people. It is a dangerous situation for young people to put themselves in."

John Burnley, the man responsible for the adverts, said: "Everybody has got a right to advertise jobs, providing they are not illegal. The job centres have approved these adverts as they follow all of the guidelines. There is nothing rude or offensive about them and everybody has a right to do whatever job they like. These people are just moaning for moaning’s sake."

A spokesman for the Department for Work and Pensions said: "Jobcentre Plus has a duty to advertise any legal job.

"We have a range of measures in place to safeguard jobseekers wishing to work in the adult entertainment industry and such advertisements are clearly marked as not suitable for people aged under 18."