|
YMCA
- Asylum Slavery
The plan by Liverpool YMCA to run a project
that puts failed asylum seekers to work while they wait to be deported
has been dropped after pressure from trades unions and campaigning groups.
The YMCA was to have been the first voluntary sector agency to help the
government in this immigration slavery scheme.
Asylum seekers would have been forced on to do unpaid community service
in return for accommodation, while they waited to be deported. They would
also have to sign a document relinquishing their claim to asylum and agree
to be deported at any time. This is forced labour and a breach of Human
Rights.
A spokesperson for 'No One Is Illegal' told the YMCA "We are appalled
by your agreement to allow Liverpool YMCA to "pilot" the scheme.
"A basic issue of principle is at stake here. Our position is that
immigration controls cannot be sanitised, cannot be rendered 'just', cannot
be made 'fair'. All involvement on this basis only results in collusion
in immigration slavery."
Although the YMCA has dropped their plans for the scheme, the government
are still pushing for its introduction.
Catalyst Comment:
It is clear that this issue is not just affecting asylum seekers. In previous
issues we have exposed organisations like 'Reeds in Partnership' and other
agencies who have been pressuring people on JSA into forced slave labour
jobs. Furthermore, the government's latest campaign to force those on
Incapacity Benefit into work makes the whole issue of forced employment/voluntary
work an issue that could affect anyone. An attack against one is an attack
against all, so everyone should organise to fight these outrageous projects. |