People seeking refuge in Ireland should be allowed to work here and contribute to building homes and improving public services. A new bill from People Before Profit proposes extending the right to work to people seeking asylum while their applications are being processed. The proposal stands in contrast to both the existing government policy, and Sinn Féin’s newly unveiled migration policy, but has support from different community groups including the Movement of Asylum Seekers in Ireland (MASI).
Speaking at a press conference launching the bill today Paul Murphy, People Before Profit TD for Dublin South West commented:
“This Bill would have the effect of extending the right to work to all asylum seekers in Ireland. Under the current system, you can only apply for the right to work after being here for five months, then there is a 150 day wait. So the earliest asylum seekers can get a work permit is 10 months after arriving here.
This current denial of the right to work does harm both to people seeking asylum and our communities. There are around 10,000 people denied the right to contribute. They could be helping build the homes we need, driving buses and providing vital public services. It would facilitate real integration into our communities to give asylum seekers the right to work.”
Bulelani Mfaco, a spokesperson for the Movement of Asylum Seekers in Ireland said:
“The idleness experienced by asylum seekers who are not allowed to work can be soul destroying. Work is a major part of being human and being able to look after ourselves and loved ones. It not only benefits the person working but their family and the whole of society. With anti-migrant protests around the country, now more than ever, we need a government that is fully committed to integrating asylum seekers into all manner of Irish society. The passage of this bill would be the first step in lifting barriers to integration and allowing asylum seekers to live in dignity and contribute to their host communities.”