A growing number of migrants, potentially residing in the UK illegally, are being granted the right to work as asylum seekers while awaiting decisions on their claims, according to revelations by Sky News. This unprecedented move is attributed to the significant backlog within the Home Office in processing asylum claims, leaving almost 100,000 individuals awaiting an initial decision for over a year as of June this year—a staggering 80% increase from the same period last year
The prolonged processing times have triggered a policy response under UK immigration rules. Those waiting over 12 months, through no fault of their own, are now eligible for work permits. Furthermore, they can apply for jobs listed in the country’s shortage occupation list, a measure designed to address specific labor shortages in the UK.
One case illustrating this trend is that of Hussein, a 34-year-old asylum seeker residing in a hotel in Staffordshire. Despite arriving in the UK on a small boat in July 2022, Hussein’s asylum status is still pending. However, he secured a work permit in October this year, allowing him to work full-time for a charity. Hussein, who fled Iraq due to concerns about the dangers his previous work posed to him and his family, shared his story with Sky News.
Displaying images of his young daughter in Iraq on his phone, Hussein expressed his desire to provide financial support once he starts earning a regular salary. He emphasized the inadequacy of the £9-per-week financial support provided by the government to asylum seekers, asserting that it is insufficient for the basic necessities of life.
While meals are covered for asylum seekers living in hotels, Hussein stressed that human needs go beyond food and shelter. “In the end as a human being, as a person…life is not only sleeping and eating – you might need clothes, you might need shoes, you might need maybe if you have some habits like smoking or anything, so all of this needs money,” he stated.
According to reports by the Guardian, the confluence of a growing backlog and the subsequent issuance of work permits raises questions about the effectiveness of the asylum processing system. Critics argue that the prolonged waiting times not only place a burden on the applicants but also create challenges for local communities and labor markets. On the other hand, proponents view the issuance of work permits as a pragmatic response to address the financial hardships faced by asylum seekers during the protracted decision-making period.
The situation also highlights broader concerns about the conditions and support provided to asylum seekers in the UK. The juxtaposition of inadequate financial assistance with the opportunity to work sheds light on the complexities of the asylum system and the delicate balance between humanitarian considerations and immigration policies.
As the Home Office grapples with the backlog and its consequences, the evolving dynamics of work permits for asylum seekers reflect a nuanced intersection of policy, compassion, and practicality. The stories of individuals like Hussein underscore the human impact of bureaucratic delays and the challenges faced by those seeking refuge in a new land.
