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Call to let Zimbabwe exiles work | Call to let Zimbabwe exiles work |
(about 1 hour later) | |
The Archbishop of York has called on Zimbabwean exiles to be given the right to work in the UK. | The Archbishop of York has called on Zimbabwean exiles to be given the right to work in the UK. |
Current rules mean asylum seekers are not allowed to work unless they have been given refugee status. | Current rules mean asylum seekers are not allowed to work unless they have been given refugee status. |
Dr John Sentamu said Zimbabweans were in "limbo" because the UK government had now agreed not to deport them but was still preventing them from working. | Dr John Sentamu said Zimbabweans were in "limbo" because the UK government had now agreed not to deport them but was still preventing them from working. |
Dr Sentamu joined politicians and community leaders for a protest over the issue at Westminster. | |
The event started with a service led by the archbishop at St Margaret's, Westminster, followed by a demonstration in Parliament Square. | |
There will be speeches from Dr Sentamu, MP Kate Hoey, trade unionist Jack Dromey and Zimbabweans, and then a march to the Home Office to present a petition. | There will be speeches from Dr Sentamu, MP Kate Hoey, trade unionist Jack Dromey and Zimbabweans, and then a march to the Home Office to present a petition. |
I would rather they earned their own money instead of depending on the taxpayers Archbishop of York Dr John Sentamu | I would rather they earned their own money instead of depending on the taxpayers Archbishop of York Dr John Sentamu |
Dr Sentamu told BBC News: "The government finds itself between a rock and a hard place because of the rules they've made themselves. | Dr Sentamu told BBC News: "The government finds itself between a rock and a hard place because of the rules they've made themselves. |
"Whilst they've removed the rule of exceptional leave to remain, it means that people find themselves in this kind of limbo. | "Whilst they've removed the rule of exceptional leave to remain, it means that people find themselves in this kind of limbo. |
"The home secretary has given us an undertaking that those people who are facing destitution should present themselves and then the government may try and give them some kind of aid and support. | "The home secretary has given us an undertaking that those people who are facing destitution should present themselves and then the government may try and give them some kind of aid and support. |
"My view would be that if people are qualified and have got jobs why not give them leave so they can work and continue to keep their skills going." | "My view would be that if people are qualified and have got jobs why not give them leave so they can work and continue to keep their skills going." |
He added: "I would rather they earned their own money instead of depending on the taxpayers but with very clear rules that say that 'we will determine when we feel the time is right for you to go back'." | He added: "I would rather they earned their own money instead of depending on the taxpayers but with very clear rules that say that 'we will determine when we feel the time is right for you to go back'." |
We are looking to see what we can do to support Zimbabweans in this situation Prime Minister Gordon Brown | We are looking to see what we can do to support Zimbabweans in this situation Prime Minister Gordon Brown |
"We need a bit of pragmatism rather than simply sticking to rules and regulations." | "We need a bit of pragmatism rather than simply sticking to rules and regulations." |
Campaigners say between 11,000 and 15,000 Zimbabweans are affected. | Campaigners say between 11,000 and 15,000 Zimbabweans are affected. |
Campaign organiser Neil Jameson said: "Britain can help Zimbabwe in its darkest hour by enabling future leaders to acquire the skills to rebuild the country when the opportunity comes." | Campaign organiser Neil Jameson said: "Britain can help Zimbabwe in its darkest hour by enabling future leaders to acquire the skills to rebuild the country when the opportunity comes." |
Gordon Brown has announced that the deportation of failed asylum seekers to Zimbabwe has been suspended. | Gordon Brown has announced that the deportation of failed asylum seekers to Zimbabwe has been suspended. |
The prime minister said: "They are provided with accommodation and vouchers to ensure that they are not destitute, but we are looking to see what we can do to support Zimbabweans in this situation." | The prime minister said: "They are provided with accommodation and vouchers to ensure that they are not destitute, but we are looking to see what we can do to support Zimbabweans in this situation." |
Earlier this month, the Court of Appeal delayed a ruling in the test case of a Zimbabwean doctor, referred to as "HS", who is fighting deportation. | Earlier this month, the Court of Appeal delayed a ruling in the test case of a Zimbabwean doctor, referred to as "HS", who is fighting deportation. |
No decision will be made before the outcome of a related immigration application before the House of Lords. | No decision will be made before the outcome of a related immigration application before the House of Lords. |