Training Toolkit

Public-sector workers may barter labour online

Kablenet.com

Published: 24 Aug 2004 15:45 BST

Downing Street policy advisers are working on plans for an online market place that would allow public sector workers to sell their labour and skills to local authorities and government departments.

The electronic market would work in a similar way to auction site eBay, but would trade in labour and services as well as goods.

The idea, known as national e-markets, was first considered by policy makers in a 1999 e-commerce report. It would cover a range of goods and services, but would be particularly relevant to the public sector.

Qualified professionals, such as child care workers, would be able to sell their services through the system. People with the best qualifications would be able to command the highest rates.

The system may not have direct government funding, but would need "official status" under a public sector "framework", according to its proponents. Wingham Rowan, former producer and presenter of ITV's Cyber.Café programme, who is working on national e-markets, said the scheme could be launched as early as next year.

"This would be a quantum leap, and government has an important role to play in that quantum leap," he told Government Computing News on 24 August, 2004.

"It would allow anyone who is qualified and legally entitled to sell their services under their own terms. People who are reliable and well qualified would be able to command a premium price and would find it worthwhile selling."

Areas that the system could cover include "care markets" where people look after those who are housebound, people who are on official patrols such as community safety officers and services for tourists, said Rowan.

Number 10 would not go into details on its plans for national e-markets as discussions are only at the early stages.

"This is one of a number of ideas that Downing Street is looking at," said a Number 10 spokesperson. "It is just one idea. There are other people looking at other ideas using the internet.

"This is an interesting idea, but that is the stage it is at. We can't say if it is going ahead."