This blog post was written by our Campaigns Champions – women who have completed our Campaigns Course – who are campaigning to lift the work ban.
The work ban is a Government policy that stops people seeking asylum from being able to work in the UK. It’s a form of financial abuse and has a huge negative impact on people seeking safety. This policy has left people unable to afford their basic necessities, it reduces people’s sense of self, and it has pushed traumatised individuals back into the same types of traumas they are escaping from.
The Women for Refugee Women Campaigns Champions is made up of women seeking safety who are dedicated to fighting for human rights. We have been forced to flee our different countries due to war, persecution and gender-based violence.
We are campaigning to Lift the Ban because of our lived experience of being banned from work whilst seeking asylum. This ban has made us destitute, impacted our mental health and made us a shadow of who we really are.
“Work is a source of livelihood to humans. As I am willing and able to work and not allowed to work, my source and hope of livelihood is taken away from me.”
The work ban impacts women seeking asylum in diverse ways: unable to meet their basic needs, trapped in unwanted and abusive relationships
, and forced into undertaking unwanted sex work as an alternative to self-sustenance. This policy locks people out of using their talents and skills – often for years – causing depression and severe mental health issues. People are simply surviving rather than living as they are forced to depend on meagre asylum support whilst banned from working.
“I cannot provide for myself nor my kids and family. It makes me feel hopeless, worthless and irresponsible.”
There are numerous benefits to lifting the ban. If people seeking asylum were allowed to work then they will be able to provide for their basic need
s and to live a more dignified life – they would feel a sense of belonging and feel more human. It would reduce violence against women and have a positive benefit on the economy through both increased taxes and by reducing reliance on asylum support.
“Now that I am allowed to work, I am able to afford my necessities and not depend on others. Being able to work has given me a sense of responsibility and belonging. It’s helped boost my confidence and helped me integrate with the community at a higher level.”
As a group, we created these t-shirts as a tool to project our messages on the work ban, stating the impact of the work ban on people seeking asylum. They also highlight the solution – Lift the Ban!
You can support our campaign to life the ban on work by signing our open letter to the Home Secretary urging the Government to give people seeking safety the right to work. Add your name now! Or watch their video below: