On 26 June an event in Broadgate was organised to show that Coventry fully supports the #LiftTheBan campaign calling for the right to work for those seeking asylum. It is a crucial time in the campaign as the Home Office has stated it will be reviewing the policy, so the campaign hopes to show that people across the country support the ban being lifted.

Article 23.1 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights says that:

Everyone has the right to work, to free choice of employment, to just and favourable conditions of work and to protection against unemployment.

In the UK today, people seeking refugee status are banned from working whilst they wait months, and often years, for a decision on their asylum claim. Instead, they are left to live on just £5.39 per day, struggling to support themselves and their families, whilst the Government wastes the talents of thousands of people.

The event was organised by Coventry Asylum & Refugee Action Group (CARAG) and Asylum Matters, which is one of more than 90 charities, think tanks, faith groups, businesses and trade unions working on the campaign. Several Coventry Councillors attended to show their support for the campaign as did people with direct experience of the ban.

CARAG asked everyone to write a postcard to Sajid Javid, Home Secretary, asking him to lift the ban!

Alternatively you can sign the petition.