A Guide to the Difference Between Refugees and People Seeking Asylum
Do you know the difference between refugees and people seeking asylum?
It’s a very common question when we are discussing refugees. As shown by the uninformed language that is used to describe people seeking asylum in the media and online, many people do not understand what it means to be a refugee or to seek asylum in the UK. We’re here to clear that up for you.
What is a refugee?
A refugee is a person who has fled war, violence, conflict or persecution and has crossed an international border to find safety in another country. This is the official definition from the UN Refugee Council.
People who have been granted refugee status in the UK can take on paid work in the UK, get a social security number, buy or rent a house, and apply for a pension. It means that it has been accepted by the UK government that it is not safe for this person to return to their home country, and they should be able to build a safe and happy life in the UK.
What is seeking asylum?
If a person is seeking asylum (also known as an ‘asylum seeker’, but this term is often used negatively, and at Breadwinners we try not to use it), they are seeking international protection as they feel it is unsafe for them to return to their home, for the same reason as those listed above.
Unless their claim takes a really long time to be processed, a person seeking asylum cannot work in the UK. This aims to separate people who are fleeing their home to seek asylum, and people who are travelling to find work and prosperity (economic migrants), but, in reality, often pushes newly arrived people into poverty.
People seeking asylum in the UK are only paid £5.66 per day to live on in the UK, and often are not allowed to work for months or even years, leading to isolation and loneliness. This is why we support the #LiftTheBan campaign; people seeking asylum should have the right to work in the UK whilst their asylum claim is being assessed, as many are essential workers that could add valuable skills to the UK workplace.
Why is this important?
Often, these terms are used interchangeably, but we should remember they refer to different stages of the asylum application status and are subject to different rules.
It is important to acknowledge the differences between refugees and people seeking asylum, so we can meet their specific needs.
We, at Breadwinners, help both refugees and people seeking asylum. Our Risers programme allows young people seeking asylum to gain experience and learn English while doing volunteer work – as they cannot do paid work. Our Breadwinners program employs refugees as Market Stall Managers, selling our artisan bread to customers across London’s best markets.
Are you willing to help young asylum seekers and refugees integrate into the UK community and help them feel accepted and welcome? If the answer is yes, then why not take a look at how to volunteer with us, or you can donate to support our work here.