Fed: Asylum seeker advocates call for more work rights
23 Jan 2009 2:32 AM
A federal government inquiry has heard all asylum seekers should be given the right to work to support themselves financially .. rather than relying on charity.
In its submission to a federal inquiry into immigration detention .. the International Detention Coalition is calling for bridging visas to be granted as a priority to some asylum seekers .. instead of holding them in detention centres.
It says if there are no health .. character or public interest concerns .. bridging visa release options with community support should be made available as the priority option.
The federal government's joint standing committee on migration is holding an inquiry into Australia's immigration detention centres.
AAP RTV md/pmu/wz/fdf
