Post by puffin on Feb 13, 2009 20:42:29 GMT
All asylum seekers should be given the chance to work, the Church of England General Synod has said.
Members of the Church's National Assembly criticised the current system, which left people in poverty and without dignity, they said.
They also voted to appeal for an amnesty for "legacy cases", as well as ending the detention of children in immigration removal centres.
The synod, the Church's governing body, has been meeting this week in London.
“ Human dignity must be restored ”
Reverend Ruth Worsley
Reverend Ruth Worsley, who put forward the case, told the synod of a Pakistani Christian who came to the UK with his wife and child seeking asylum in 2004.
He had been granted leave to stay in April last year, but is still waiting for confirmation from the Home Office in writing and does not have permission to work, she said.
She said: "Today, on behalf of Southwell and Nottingham diocese, I am moving this motion to propose that we as a church call on the government to bring about necessary change within our asylum system.
"Other dioceses will be able to tell similar stories of how the life of their churches has been enriched, and how hard it can be to speak of a gospel of hope in an environment which can seem so unjust."
news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7888809.stm
It makes sense. While they are waiting let them work,if they can find any, pay taxes and take the cost of caring for them off the tax payer. Leaving them in enforced idleness helps nobody.
