THE UK Government has been asked to consider a pilot scheme in Scotland to give asylum seekers the right to work.
SNP minister Kaukab Stewart has put forward a proposal asking the Home Office to allow asylum seekers living in Glasgow the right to work after six months living in the UK.
The Scottish Government’s proposals say that Scotland’s biggest city, which also has the largest asylum seeker population, should “at least” be included in a trial, but allows for the possibility of a larger pilot area.
Currently asylum seekers are barred from working until they have lived in the UK for at least a year and only in jobs under the Home Offices shortage occupation list.
The Scottish Government proposals, unveiled on Wednesday, would also remove restrictions on the kinds of jobs asylum seekers were allowed to do.
The SNP have pointed to evidence from an expert advisory group on migration which found that letting asylum seekers work can improve their wellbeing, integration and reduce their risk of being exploited. The group also said allowing asylum seekers to work is good for the economy and public services.
Stewart said: “We believe that giving people seeking asylum the right to work from an earlier point can have a positive impact on them, their families and our communities. This means that following a positive decision they will be better equipped to support themselves and their families.
“These measures would also enable asylum seekers to integrate more quickly, making a positive contribution to our workforce and economy by reducing the cost and demand on our public services.”
In its request to the UK Government, Scottish ministers asked that the Home Office considers the “feasibility” of the scheme.
The UK Government was approached for comment.
