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Call to support new law allowing asylum seekers right to work


Houses of Parliament - ICN

Houses of Parliament - ICN

Many people are unaware that asylum seekers are prohibited by law from working. As it currently stands, more than 3,600 asylum seekers have been waiting more than six months for an initial decision on their cases and surviving on just over £5 a day.

Caritas Social Action Network is supporting Lord Alton of Liverpool's amendment to the Immigration Bill that is currently going through Parliament which would grant asylum seekers, who have not had their claim for asylum processed within six months, the right to work.

The change CSAN wants to see

On the 9 March 2016, an amendment tabled by Lord Alton of Liverpool to allow asylum seekers who have not had claim processed by the Home Office within six months, the right to work was passed by the House of Lords by 280 votes to 195. Granting asylum seekers the right to work would enable them to protect their families from destitution.

The Home Office's primary concern about allowing earlier access to employment is that it "risks making asylum more attractive for those who are otherwise not eligible to work in the UK." However, there is little evidence that backs this up. If Lord Alton's amendment was passed asylum seekers would only be allowed to work if the Home Office had not processed their claim within six months. This would encourage the Home Office to process claims in good time.

The Vincentians in Partnership, who are part of CSAN, write: "Catholic Social Teaching encourages us to focus on the dignity of migrants during the asylum process. The Church recognises the importance of work as an important human need and duty. We use work to express our personality and form relationships which help our self-esteem and mental health. The Church also teaches that allowing migrants to contribute to their new country through work better facilitates their integration into society."

The 'line by line' examination of the Bill took place during the third day of report stage on 21 March.

The Third reading - a final chance to amend the Bill - is scheduled for 12 April. CSAN is calling for readers to write to their MPs, asking them to support the amendment. A pro-forma letter you could adapt and use is pasted below. .

If you do not know who your MP is, please use the website www.theyworkforyou.com/. You just have to type your postcode and the details of your MP will be provided.

Sample letter

Name
House of Commons
London
SW1A 0AA

Date 2016


Immigration Bill 2015: amendment granting asylum seekers the right to work
Dear XX,

I am writing to you ahead of the Immigration Bill 2015 return to the House of Commons.
In the House of Lords, an amendment was passed which will grant asylum seekers the right to work if their claim for asylum is not processed by the Home Office within six months.

As it currently stands, more than 3,600 asylum seekers have currently been waiting more than six months for an initial decision on their cases and surviving on just over £5 a day.
Granting asylum seekers the right to work will allow them to integrate into civic society, and will ensure they will - should their health allow - be able to contribute to the UK economy and protect their family from poverty and destitution.

I would be grateful if you could write to inform me how you intend to vote on this amendment.

Source: VIP/CSAN

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