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Waterford asylum seeker calls for the full removal of barriers to work

Waterford asylum seeker calls for the full removal of barriers to work

It's been reported there has been zero take-up of an employment permit scheme for asylum seekers.

The Government has received criticism from immigrant rights groups for restrictions on what type of work people can acquire.

Asylum seekers have been able to enter employment since February after the Supreme Court declared the ban unconstitutional.

However they are prevented from working in over sixty sectors and are restricted to jobs with a minimum salary of €30,000. Asylum seekers are unable to apply for positions in hospitality, healthcare, social work, childcare, general care services, marketing, sales, administration, textiles, printing, housekeeping, food and construction.

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This man in direct provision was speaking to WLR News: "What has to happen from now on, is simply for them to lift all the conditions they have laid down around this right to work." He wants the government to "allow us to go out there and help the Irish society and help ourselves integrate. There is no integration sitting back there in the hostels. We have to be able to go out there and help ourselves, exercise our brains and test our skills again because we're afraid we're losing our skills."

Image: File photo of a demonstration protesting the right to work for asylum seekers.

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