August 05, 2010
Employers have been issued much-need guidance on employing refugees and asylum seekers via new publications by the UK Border Agency (UKBA).
According to the Refugee Council, the UK’s largest support group for refugees and asylum seekers, too often many face a number of barriers accessing work and employers do not recognise the Home Office documentation given to refugees, or are not aware of the employment rights of those with temporary leave to remain in the UK.
A new booklet, Guidance for Employers on Illegal Working: Refugees and Asylum Seekers, gives employers clear information on checks needed to properly employ and recruit asylum seekers and refugees.
"We and our partners have been recommending the UKBA publish new and up-to-date guidance for employers for some time, so we are delighted they have now done so,” said Donna Covey, Chief Executive of the Refugee Council.
"We would urge employers to take heed of the new booklet, to ensure they not only recognise refugees' rights to work in the UK, but so they can also capitalise on the amazing skills and talents refugees can bring to the British workplace."
The publication includes details of the employment rights of refugees, the bespoke documentation that they are issued with in place of a national passport and how refugees differ from other foreign nationals in the UK.
Since August 2005, people granted refugee status or Humanitarian Protection have been granted five years limited leave to enter or remain in the UK. The guidance also details the steps employers should take for refugee job applicants who have come to the end of their leave, and have now applied for further leave to stay in the UK.
Under current law, employers found to have knowingly hired illegal workers could incur an unlimited fine and be sent to prison for up to two years.
But, with official reports claiming that more and more foreign nations are seeking refuge on British soil, employers should take note of current guidance and avoid the hefty fines associated will illegally employing foreign workers.
