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Unlocking the trap of illegal working
14 November 2003
One of the UK’s leading refugee agencies has welcomed proposals from the Home Secretary, David Blunkett, to allow some migrants forced into the hidden economy to join the mainstream jobs market.
These proposals recognise the plight of an extremely vulnerable group of displaced people who fill labour shortages in key sectors of the economy.
Many workers caught in this trap originally arrive in the UK legally as students or on work permits. A significant number are unable to return home because they lack the necessary documents or because their countries would not accept them back. At present, such people find themselves trapped in a cycle of exploitation, with neither safeguards such as the right to a minimum wage, access to benefits, nor the opportunity to contribute through the tax system.
There remains an important distinction to be made between this group and asylum seekers, who are exercising their legal right to seek safety from persecution in Britain.
However, some asylum seekers whose applications have been refused by the Home Office are also unable to return home and face destitution because they are not entitled to benefits and do not have the right to work. If the proposed scheme goes ahead Refugee Action would like to see it extended to include asylum seekers in this predicament.
Refugee Action supports moves to openly acknowledge the contribution made by illegal workers and to offer them the chance to participate fully in mainstream society. The proposed scheme could be a major step forward in the wider debate about the contribution that foreign-born workers, including refugees, can and do make to this country.
Sandy Buchan, chief executive of Refugee Action, explains: “The current system forces overstayers into illegal working. Unable to return home, claim benefits or enter the mainstream jobs market, their only support options are to seek work illegally for well below the minimum wage or rely upon the charity of others.
“This is a welcome opportunity to work towards a sensible and fair system to "regularise" rather than stigmatise those trapped by very limited options. Refugee Action welcomes this move and wishes to make a positive contribution to the debate. If as a society we tackle this situation sensibly and fairly, many of those caught in this trap will prove more than willing to leave the "hidden economy" behind.”
For more information or to arrange an interview please contact: Press officer on 07810 757752.
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