Asylum seekers set up to fail

[Lilith7]

I came across this today; I'd no idea things were so tough for asylum seekers here. As if those seeking asylum haven't endured enough; they're having to cope under appalling conditions here.

https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/new-zeala...IEn_meCaCw

"New Zealand is setting up asylum seekers to fail by denying them the same rights and supports available to other refugees, advocates say.

A new report, 'Safe Start, Fair Future', exposed the plight of asylum seekers left in limbo and said in some cases this can be for years.

"There's nothing in the Refugee Convention that distinguishes between a quota refugee and a convention refugee, but New Zealand treats them differently in terms of the rights and entitlements to certain policies."

For those claiming asylum in New Zealand - 394 on average each year, there is limited access to specialist support services, including mental health, social welfare, and work rights.

The best way to ensure asylum seekers can settle successfully is to provide adequate support, Marlowe said.



The report recommends:

• Resourcing specialist organisations that can provide culturally appropriate services for those most at risk while their asylum claims are decided
  
  
• Including asylum seekers in the Refugee Resettlement Strategy
  
  
• Giving asylum seekers the same rights and supports as quota refugees
  
  
• Streamlining the permanent residency process."
  

[Olive]

I was disturbed to read this and it fits with a few other pieces recently published about the hostility and distrust shown towards refugees by WINZ and MBIE officials. It seems that there is some sort of cultural disconnect between Government policy and staff on the coal face.

[Oh_hunnihunni]

There always has been a disconnect between government policy and the civil servants at street level. In some senses it is a power thing, territorial, and egotistical, where those doing the work think they know best. Winz has always been a classic example. If people did not know what to ask for, the information would rarely be volunteered. ACC became even worse...

[Magoo]

governments come and go
the civil service has seen it all before
same cat different pyjamas.

[Lilith7]

There always has been a disconnect between government policy and the civil servants at street level. In some senses it is a power thing, territorial, and egotistical, where those doing the work think they know best. Winz has always been a classic example. If people did not know what to ask for, the information would rarely be volunteered. ACC became even worse...

Yeah, whatever people are entitled to should be immediately explained to them, & help given to  access what's needed. Its just an unfair way of doing things, & underhanded.


And for asylum seekers who end up here, that should be done as a matter of course, rather than this kind of bullshit.

[Magoo]

the first thing i would do if being repatriated here
is learn te reo.

[Lilith7]

Not a bad move; more & more people are learning Te Reo now.

[Oh_hunnihunni]

So many the Maori have difficulty getting into classes!

[Magoo]

jobs aplenty for te reo speakers
the pubic purse is a taut nipple on which to suckle