Asylum seekers living in communities on bridging visas are being denied work permits, creating distress and financial hardship, the Refugee Council of Australia (RCOA) has told the Abbott government.
There are about 27,000 people caught in this visa vacuum, RCOA chief executive Paul Power said.
He called on the government to overturn its work ban.
“Living in imposed unemployment, asylum seekers are forced to survive on 89 per cent of the lowest Centrelink payment.”
Mr Power cited a new Curtin University research report, Policy as Punishment, based on interviews with asylum seekers, which found Australia’s policy of denying work rights to some asylum seekers was causing unnecessary hardship to some of the world’s most vulnerable people.
“Despite the trauma they have suffered in their home countries and the fears they have for family members living in danger, asylum seekers arrive in Australia determined to work and to contribute to our economy and communities,” Mr Power said.
“Denying asylum seekers work rights compounds the distress and uncertainty they experience with delays in the processing of their refugee claims, expiry of their bridging visas and difficulties in finding affordable housing.
“Work rights must be reinstated so asylum seekers can support themselves, play an active role in the community and contribute to our economy.”
