On Wednesday 10 September, leaders from many of the UK’s main trade unions will join the Trades Union Congress (TUC) and the Refugee Council’s campaign to allow asylum seekers to work. The TUC will pledge its full involvement in the campaign by being the first to sign a call for the government to let people seeking asylum in the UK work and support themselves.
Currently, almost all asylum seekers are barred from working, despite many having no immediate prospect of returning home. This means they are either destitute, or being supported by the taxpayer.
Donna Covey, Chief Executive of the Refugee Council said:
“We know asylum seekers want to work. Many are highly qualified and had good jobs in their home countries, and are desperate to contribute to the country that has taken them in. It is an outrage that they are left to rely on handouts from the state when they have so much to offer this country.”
Brendan Barber, General Secretary of the TUC said:
“Asylum seekers can wait months and even years before decisions are made on their cases, so the bar on them working is causing severe economic hardship for their families. Forcing often highly skilled, highly trained individuals to sit idle for considerable periods of time is not only a personal tragedy for them but is also a huge loss to the UK economy, which is missing out on their many talents. The Government must think again and change the rules so that asylum seekers are allowed to work and are no longer forced to survive on benefits alone.”
The Refugee Council, TUC and local group Brighton Voices In Exile are hosting a reception at Friends Meeting House in Brighton on the evening of Wednesday 10 September. Brighton Voices in Exile is also supplying the food, and supporting the campaign activity during the day. Many of its members are also not allowed to work.
Tendai, from Brighton Voices In Exile, who will address the reception, said:
“I worked as a Chief Cash Controller for a company in Zimbabwe until I began to have problems because of my political opinion. This forced me to flee leaving my one year old son. I arrived in 2001 to seek asylum and it has not been what I expected. I am able and happy to work and contribute to the British economy but I am not allowed, and I am being forced to live on handouts.”
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Notes
1. Further information on the Refugee Council and TUC joint campaign to allow asylum seekers to work can be found at http://www.refugeecouncil.org.uk/gettinginvolved/campaign/righttowork/
2. Further information about Brighton Voices in Exile can be accessed at: www.brightonvoicesinexile.org or contact Mary-Jane Burkett on 01272 328598
