UTAW recently joined the Lift the Ban coalition, a group made up of trade unions, charities, and other organisations which seeks to have the government lift the ban on allowing asylum seekers to work in the UK while waiting for their asylum status.

We call on our members active in political parties and Trades Union Councils to encourage their parties and councils to join the coalition as well.

Asylum seekers are fleeing persecution and war and possess skills that would be an asset to the British economy. Despite this, they are forced to live on less than £7 a day (the current rate of support for asylum seekers) and are not allowed to contribute to the country they reside in. We call for this to end and for asylum seekers to have the right to work in this country.