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News and press > News stories > 2005 > December > "We don't want support from the state, we want to be given the chance to work for ourselves"
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"We don't want support from the state, we want to be given the chance to work for ourselves"
14 December 2005
Teachers, a doctor, a nurse and a carpenter who is a rising athletics star were among a group of Zimbabwean asylum seekers who were invited to Parliament on Monday, 13 December 05 to plead for the right to work in the UK. | ![[Unknown]](/NR/rdonlyres/55F87932-CF02-41F3-B84E-A21AC6BC0793/0/respina_righttowork.gif)
Respina Mukwangwari tells the news conference why she wants to use her teaching skills in the UK | Their call comes as a result of being left in limbo following an Asylum and Immigration Tribunal hearing in October which judged that it would be unsafe for any Zimbabwean asylum seeker to be sent back to Zimbabwe. Unable to return, but unable to work or claim benefits mean that many are facing destitution this winter. The Zimbabwean professionals were invited by the All Part Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Zimbabwe to make their case to be allowed to work. Harris Nyatsanza, a qualified and experienced secondary school teacher, said "We don't want support from the state, we want to be given the chance to work for ourselves and prepare for the times when we we can get rid of Mugabe and return to help rebuild our country. | Kate Hoey, Chairwoman for the APPG on Zimbabwe said “There are Zimbabweans I know personally who have been reduced to destitution within the past few weeks even though they have skills we really need in this country such as teaching and nursing. We can't send them back to Mugabe's tyranny, so it is common sense they should be allowed to work for their living.” Maeve Sherlock, Chief Executive of the Refugee Council backed the call for the right to work saying “It is inexcusable that we are still forcing vulnerable people into destitution. It is even worse that many of these people have valuable skills and talents that could benefit both the UK economy and society. If people are unable to return home, they should be properly supported and offered the opportunity to work and contribute.” Other information: Read the Refugee Council Press release and read the CVs of some Zimbabweans representing the skills available Find out more about the Refugee Council's campaign and sign up to campaign against destitution and for the right to work |
