- Conference
- 2009 National Delegate Conference
- Date
- 12 February 2009
- Decision
- Carried
Conference notes the right to seek asylum is an internationally agreed human right under the Refugee Convention of 1951, which Britain signed after the Second World War, promising to provide sanctuary to those fleeing political and other forms of persecution.
Conference further notes that many asylum seekers in Britain are incorrectly labelled “economic migrants” or “illegal immigrants” by lazy journalists and bigoted politicians.
Conference believes that these terms are often misleading and derogatory. Asylum seekers are often people who are fleeing famine, war or persecution from their own country – quite often countries in Africa, Asia and the Caribbean where many UNISON black members have a close connection – and are seeking a place of safety.
Conference believes that asylum seekers would like to have a “hand up” rather than a “hand out” and that those asylum seekers who are able to be economically active and work would prefer to do while they are in Britain in order to support their families and themselves. Asylum seekers are law abiding people who would like the opportunity to pay their taxes and contribute to the economy like all other active workers in this country.
However, Conference believes it is a consequence of draconian government legislation brought in 2002 that has made it illegal for people claiming asylum to become economically active or seek work within the formal economy. This legislative handcuff has forced many of those who have already suffered, to become vulnerable to exploitative employers or survive on meagre handouts from the government charities. Some asylum seekers are denied support altogether
and end up destitute or living in abject poverty.
Conference believes the present system makes no economic sense nor does it pass any moral test because many asylum seekers are highly skilled and educated people, some are even trade unionists who got into trouble with the authorities in their home countries because they stood up for workers.
Conference recognises the asylum process has been speeded up, but even so, in some cases it can take many months and even years for a claim to be decided.
Conference instructs the National Executive Council to work with the National Black Members Committee to:
1) Engage in the Trades Union Congress (TUC) “Let Them Work” campaign,
which calls for the right of all asylum seekers to be able to take up
employment;
2) Produce a briefing debunking the myths and facts about asylum seekers;
3) Provide briefings and items in UNISON publications to educate people
about the realities of asylum seekers in Britain;
4) Lobby Members of Parliament to seek a change in government policy and
allow asylum seekers to work.