Should Asylum Seekers in the UK Be Allowed to Work? - Exploring the Pros and Cons of Allowing Asylum Seekers in the UK to Work

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As is the case in many other European countries, asylum seekers in the UK must wait several years before they can apply for a work permit. But what exactly are the benefits of this practice and how does it help the country? Many people who have recently fled war-torn countries say that one of the toughest parts of being an asylum seeker is not being allowed to work. While there are several reasons as to why this happens, many remain unconvinced on its merits. In this article, we explore whether or not asylum seekers in the UK should be allowed to work, and if so, under what conditions?

What does the law say about asylum seekers working in the UK?

The law that grants asylum seekers permission to work in the UK dates back to 1999. This law allows the government to issue temporary permission to work to asylum seekers who have been waiting for more than six months for their applications to be processed. However, there are strict rules regarding what kind of work asylum seekers can do and for how long. In short, asylum seekers cannot be employed in occupations that are reserved for UK citizens. These include jobs such as health care, security, and teaching, just to name a few. Applicants must also receive lower wages, which are usually set at the National Minimum Wage of about £7.50 per hour.

Why are asylum seekers not allowed to work?

There are several reasons as to why asylum seekers in the UK are not allowed to work. As mentioned earlier, one is the fact that they are expected to wait a certain amount of time before they can be issued with a work permit. Another reason is that the government wants to avoid giving asylum seekers an incentive to remain in the country. If they were to be allowed to work, they would be able to earn money and would therefore have no reason to return to their home country. Moreover, it is believed that not allowing asylum seekers to work would encourage them to find legal solutions to their immigration status. Having a permit to work would impact negatively on their chances of getting asylum. This is because applicants must prove that they would face serious harm if they were to return to their home countries.

Benefits of Asylum Seekers not being allowed to work

By not allowing asylum seekers to work, the government is able to control how many people enter the country. This is particularly important in light of the fact that the UK’s population is rapidly expanding. - It is easier to track people who are not allowed to work. This means that the government will be in a position to deport those who are found to be living in the country illegally. - It is also beneficial to the wider public. This is because it reduces the risk of people who do not have the appropriate work permits being exploited by employers.

Limitations of the current policy

There are certain limitations to the current policy in terms of both costs and benefits. A significant portion of the costs is incurred by the government in terms of providing asylum seekers with basic subsistence. As for the benefits, they are limited to the government’s ability to control the flow of people entering the country. - The current policy also creates the false sense that asylum seekers are a burden on the state. This is problematic as it fails to recognize the fundamental role that they play in the country by increasing productivity and making the UK more competitive. - Lastly, the current policy does not do much to improve the lives of asylum seekers. It does not help them to integrate into society and does not grant them the right to work. - It greatly impacts their mental health. This is because it causes them to become isolated from the rest of the population.

Should Asylum Seekers be Allowed to Work?

The UK government should allow asylum seekers to work if they have been in the country for more than six months. This would help them to become more independent and self-sufficient. It would also encourage them to integrate into society, as opposed to living in isolation. Additionally, it would help to reduce the costs incurred by the government. This is because the state would be able to collect more taxes from employed asylum seekers. All in all, it is clear that allowing asylum seekers to work would benefit both them and the country.