g problem of destitution among asylum seekers, and to allow those who can to work.
Immigration Minister Tony McNulty MP last week suggested that support was available for unsuccessful asylum seekers who could not return home, and that government policy was not responsible for making people destitute.
But Labour MP, Kate Hoey, said: “There are Zimbabweans I know personally who have been reduced to destitution within the past few weeks even though they have skills we really need in this country such as teaching and nursing. We can’t send them back to Mugabe’s tyranny, so it is common sense they should be allowed to work for their living.”
The Refugee Council is campaigning this winter to end destitution for asylum seekers, and is calling on the government to allow those who can to work.
Maeve Sherlock, Chief Executive of the Refugee Council said: “It is inexcusable that we are still forcing vulnerable people into destitution. It is even worse that many of these people have valuable skills and talents that could benefit both the UK economy and society. If people are unable to return home, they should be properly supported and offered the opportunity to work.”
Harris Nyatsanza, a secondary school Geography teacher from Zimbabwe who has been refused asylum, said: “Asylum seekers would love to work and support themselves whilst waiting for decision on their cases. We don’t want to be a burden on the economy or the state, that’s the simple argument we are making. If the state is finding it difficult to support us then give us the right to work and support ourselves.”
The Chair of the UNDZ, Noble Sibanda, said: “The lengthy asylum process is deskilling most of us. We are highly trained professionals who the media portray as lazy, we can be self sufficient and relieve the state of the burden of feeding us and housing us.” – For further info, please contact UNDZ – Noble Sibanda 07904132448 or Harris Nyastanza on 07917331136.
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