Birmingham asylum seekers launch Christmas appeal to local MPs to lift work ban

West Midlands MPs this week received a series of hand-decorated Christmas cards from campaigners, urging them to persuade the Government to lift the ban on work for asylum seekers.

Currently, almost everyone seeking asylum in the UK is barred from finding work, with Right to Work applications only open to people who have been waiting for a decision for more than 12 months. Even then, the only jobs people can accept are those on the immigrant wage list – a very limited list of just 23 specialized occupations, including classical ballet dancer.

At a card-making event organized by the charity Asylum Matters at a visitor center in Birmingham city centre, cards were sent to MPs across the region. As lawmakers currently work on a new asylum and immigration bill, representatives have been urged to influence the government to extend the right to work to anyone awaiting a decision to asylum for more than six months and to allow candidates to accept employment in any country. occupation.

One of the writers of the cards, Danilo Gr, originally from Colombia and currently seeking asylum in the West Midlands, said: “I am part of this group because I want to show my concern about the current restrictions which prevent asylum seekers asylum seeker to work when their asylum application is requested. the complaint is being processed. I think this policy is unfair and the government should reconsider it because work gives purpose and dignity, promotes community cohesion and would reduce government spending on housing and financial support. I want to bring about a change in this policy.

Emma Birks, campaign manager for Asylum Matters in the West Midlands, added: “Currently, qualified people in Birmingham and the West Midlands are barred from work, unable to support themselves or use skills that would benefit us all. This makes no sense and it is unfair.

“All we are asking for Christmas is that people who have waited more than six months for an asylum decision can work. It’s not an expensive gift – in fact, it could bring the UK economy up to £333m a year – but it would be transformative for people who are currently forced to wait months or even years. years, in limbo, surviving on asylum support rates. for as little as £8.86 per week.

“Being able to work would mean that people who have fled war and persecution could begin to take control of their lives, live independently and become more involved in their community. As MPs head off for their Christmas break, we hope these cards will inspire them to think about how they would feel if they were barred from returning to work in January and to do all they can to persuade the Government to lift the work ban. »