Following a significant policy victory, more charities are joining the call to allow asylum seekers to work, aiming to improve their lives and reduce homelessness.
London: More charities are jumping on board to support the call for asylum seekers to be allowed to work. This comes after a recent win where the government agreed to extend the “move-on” period for refugees from 28 to 56 days. It’s a big deal for those facing homelessness.
Refugee Action pointed out that the current rules are tough. Asylum seekers can’t work for a year and can only take jobs on a limited list. They’re urging the government to lift this ban immediately. Another charity, HIAS+JCORE, echoed this sentiment, saying that allowing refugees to work would help them integrate into communities.
Last week, four charities backed the campaign to lift the work ban, and now even more are joining in. It’s clear that there’s a growing movement to address this issue.
So far, the Winter Appeal, A Place to Call Home, has raised over £1.6 million to help organizations supporting refugees and the homeless. Big names like Sainsbury’s and Comic Relief are backing it.
Tim Naor Hilton from Refugee Action emphasized that allowing asylum seekers to work would benefit everyone. It could help strengthen communities and boost the economy. He mentioned that Mayor Sadiq Khan supports this change, and several London boroughs are on board too.
David Mason from HIAS+JCORE highlighted the struggles many asylum seekers face without the right to work. They often live on just £7 a day, which is hardly enough. He’s worried about how the cold winter will affect those in the asylum system.
He also pointed out that without financial support, new refugees struggle when they finally get their status. Lifting the work ban would help them transition from being outsiders to part of the community.
The call for change comes as Care England reported a significant drop in health and care worker visa grants, which is impacting adult social care. They stressed the need for a more humane immigration policy that allows workers to bring their families.
In short, the Winter Appeal aims to fund organizations that support asylum seekers and the homeless across the UK. It’s a crucial time for these communities.