A doctor prevented from caring for patients. An interpreter forbidden to offer much-needed translation services. These were just some of the talented Welsh residents who visited Westminster recently, calling for an end to an illogical rule that locks people seeking asylum out of work.
Most people seeking asylum in the UK are barred from working, forced to live on government ‘support’ of as little as £8.86 a week, often for years while they wait for a decision. With the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill in progress, refugees and people seeking asylum travelled to London from across Wales to collectively demand that the new laws give them the right to work.
Missed opportunities
Joining a group from around the UK, those from Wales gathered at Parliament Square in work uniforms, from suits to scrubs and hi-vis vests to chef’s whites. It was a richly colourful visualisation of the myriad skills the work ban prevents so many from using.
The campaigners called the new legislation “a missed opportunity” to restore the right to work, criticising the continuing focus on border policies at the expense of measures to improve the system within the UK. They called for the government to allow anyone who has waited six months for an asylum decision to look for a job. Those from Wales spoke of the devastating impact of being forbidden to use skills that would allow them to thrive.
“I know the hardships of being an asylum seeker and not being able to work,” said Niloha Rangel, a paediatrician and neonatal doctor from Venezuela now living in Wrexham. “Your qualifications become defunct, your mental health suffers, and when people wait for years for refugee status it has a huge impact. Work is a human right that allows us all to thrive.”
“As a refugee doctor, I know the particular impact we could have on the NHS. There are so many gaps we could fill. There’s so much we could offer in terms of qualifications, cultural competence, mental health expertise, and understanding of global health. It’s the same in other professions. If people could get back to work, they could contribute so much to the economy. And save money for mental health services that wouldn’t have to treat people who are suffering so much from being locked out of work.”
Emulating Reform
Members of the Lift The Ban coalition, coordinated by asylum rights charities Asylum Matters and Refugee Action, say the latest immigration figures show ending this ban would give a £280mn boost to the economy. It would also improve the mental health of those waiting for asylum decisions, and allow them to share their many skills with their new communities.
Maher Ibrahim from Newport is a trained interpreter, with a masters degree from a UK university. His skills would be invaluable within the asylum system – as people often struggle to get high-quality interpretation – or for a range of businesses. But since applying for political asylum in 2018 he’s been unable to work. He believes the proposed legislation approaches asylum issues in the wrong way. It punishes refugees, while ignoring their potential and the economic growth they could bring.
“The Borders Bill needs to include safe routes. To create more border security laws, at the same time refusing citizenship to refugees who’ve travelled by dangerous routes, makes no sense. It’s punishing people for seeking asylum, and that’s unfair when there’s no safe route for them.”
“I understand politics are full of complications but it feels like, with these recent measures, Labour is trying to emulate Reform UK. It’ll never defeat Reform by copying them. The only way it can maintain popularity is through economic growth. What do they need for that? To tackle labour shortages. Lifting the ban on work would be one clear way to do that. If you want growth, let asylum seekers work. Let them set up businesses and create jobs. Don’t force people to wait for years, let them be independent.”
“From my own experience, I know that when you’re forced to stay out of work for a long time, it makes it much harder to get back. Allowing asylum seekers to work would mean people could use their skills, and make people less likely to need state support.”
At risk of harm
Other campaigners attending the event highlighted the risks that being banned from work can create for those expected to live on the below-poverty-level support they’re offered.
Carenza Arnold, Campaigns Lead at the charity Women for Refugee Women, said: “The ban puts people seeking asylum at further risk of harm, abuse, or exploitation. Women we’ve supported have been trapped in abusive relationships, forced into prostitution or sex work, and trapped in exploitative conditions, including modern slavery and domestic violence.”
“The government’s welcome commitment to prioritise tackling violence against women and girls must include refugee and asylum-seeking survivors. Otherwise, a two-tier approach will develop, with women seeking asylum – who are predominantly from racialised groups – treated as less deserving and left behind. As new legislation makes it way through Parliament, we urge the government to lift the work ban.”
Cathy Lebadou from RAS Voice, a lived-experience campaign group, added: “It’s common sense to lift the ban. It benefits the UK economy by allowing people seeking asylum to contribute, as well as reducing the costs associated with asylum support.
It’s a shame how our worth and contribution goes to waste due to the punishment and hostility imposed through inhumane policies. We must lift the ban – if not for our dignity, then to save taxpayers sweat.”
If you agree that people should have the right to support themselves while waiting for an asylum decision, you can find out more about the campaign by visiting https://lifttheban.co.uk. You can also watch and share a short video about our Westminster demonstration.
