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date: 6 October 2008

embargo: For immediate release

Make every day a decent day for work says Northern TUC

Today, Tuesday 7^th October, is international World Day for Decent Work* and to mark the occasion in the region the Northern TUC held an event at the Centre for Life in Newcastle. The event included the launch of the 'Let them Work' campaign and culminated with the signing of a petition that calls for asylum seekers to have their right to work reinstated.

World Day for Decent Work is an international event organised by the International Trade Union Confederation with the purpose of focusing attention on ensuring all workers, especially vulnerable workers, are treated with dignity and respect and do not have to suffer poor pay and conditions, or exploitation of any kind at work. Since having their right to work revoked in 2002, asylum seekers are now an even more vulnerable group.

Being denied the opportunity to work has a huge impact on thousands of families across the region who have come to the UK to flee from persecution, war or oppressive regimes. Instead of a place of safety many asylum seekers are condemned to live in poverty and isolation because they are not permitted to work, or are forced into the underground illegal labour market where exploitation and ill-treatment is rife.

The Northern TUC has been working with the Regional Refugee Forum (RRF) since April to campaign on the issue which has given rise to 'Let them Work'. Today's event is part of that campaign, and attendees heard first hand just what devastating effect the employment restrictions have on asylum seekers and their families. Kevin Rowan, Northern TUC Regional Secretary and Clare Williams, Unison Regional Convenor, also spoke about why this is very much a trade union and a community issue that needs support. Daoud Zaaroura, CEO of the North of England Refugee Service also addressed the audience and led the signing of the petition.

Kevin Rowan, Northern TUC Regional Secretary said: 'Decent, good quality work is a secure route to health and wellbeing. Sadly, an increasing number of workers are experiencing the polar opposite.

'Asylum seekers are particularly vulnerable as the most unscrupulous employers take advantage of the fact that these workers have no legal right to work and therefore no legal protection from exploitation - they are often accused of 'living it up' while the reality is one of horrendous treatment, poverty pay and constant fear.

'Allowing them to work legally will provide the first step to dignity and respect.'

Samouka Dore, Leader of the Regional Refugee Forum North East Right to Work Subgroupsaid: 'We are given great hope by the TUC's initiative and the potential of the unions and the community to support this national campaign to restore the right to work, which will directly affect more than 10,000 of us in the region alone.'

NOTES TO EDITORS:

- * World day for Decent Work is a global day of action on Tuesday 7 October, when the TUC will be joining 165 million trade unionists around the world to demand 'decent work for decent life' and calling for work to be put centre stage in the campaign against poverty.

- All TUC press releases can be found at www.tuc.org.uk

- Register for the TUC's press extranet: a service exclusive to journalists wanting to access pre-embargo releases and reports from the TUC. Visit www.tuc.org.uk/pressextranet

- A series of TUC rights leaflets are available on our website and from the know your rights line 0870 600 4 882. Lines are open every day from 9am-9pm. Calls are charged at the national rate.

Contacts:

Media enquiries: Susanne Nichol T: 0191 227 5553; M: 07771 873108 E: snichol@tuc.org.uk

NOTES TO EDITORS:

- All TUC press releases can be found at www.tuc.org.uk

- Register for the TUC's press extranet: a service exclusive to journalists wanting to access pre-embargo releases and reports from the TUC. Visit www.tuc.org.uk/pressextranet

- A series of TUC rights leaflets are available on our website and from the know your rights line 0870 600 4 882. Lines are open every day from 9am-9pm. Calls are charged at the national rate.

Contacts:

Media enquiries: Susanne Nichol T: 0191 227 5553; M: 07771 873108 E: snichol@tuc.org.uk

Press release (800 words) issued 7 Oct 2008