AIBU to feel really offended by this?

Deedaa your post highlights the main point that I felt offended by.
I think that this person really wanted to move to London and would be trying to secure a similar job to what he had in Afghanistan, ie a very well paid CEO. I think he didnt want to go to Scotland as London would be a better chance of obtaining this sort of job, not for the company of fellow refugees. And I feel that he saw delivering pizzas as beneath him. That's what I found offensive. I feel that all jobs are essential none are more worthy than others. We would be in a right mess without cleaners, bin collectors, shop staff etc.

I wonder if he, or others, could drive hazardous materials lorries?
We could do with some to get the fuel to the service stations!!

sazz1

Deedaa your post highlights the main point that I felt offended by.
I think that this person really wanted to move to London and would be trying to secure a similar job to what he had in Afghanistan, ie a very well paid CEO. I think he didnt want to go to Scotland as London would be a better chance of obtaining this sort of job, not for the company of fellow refugees. And I feel that he saw delivering pizzas as beneath him. That's what I found offensive. I feel that all jobs are essential none are more worthy than others. We would be in a right mess without cleaners, bin collectors, shop staff etc.

I agree with you, sazz1.
It sounds to me that he expected to be put straight into a position of CEO somewhere in London!
He has a roof over his & his family's heads, he is safe, he has good neighbours & they're in a decent city.
There are a lot worse places he could be, & a lot worse positions he could be in!
Surely, if he wants to work that much, then starting at the bottom in this new country is much better than nothing at all!!!

I have friends who are asylum seekers. They've been here 9 years. Their cases are STILL not resolved. Their 19 year old daughter can't go to university because their case isn't settled. Dad and mum can't work yet. Mum is a trained teacher. Dad was a publisher.

They're happy to be here and be safe. But 9 years????

It must be very difficult for some refugees who have had a high education and not be recognized for it and not allowed to work, as they used to, in their new country.

My daughter’s friend arrived here in France, in the 80s aged ten. The family escaped a terrible regime and had lost not only their possessions but also their way of life, house, staff etc, however they were happy to be safe here. Her parent’s large family were split all over the world in different countries.

I think he’s right in that when people arrive here legitimately as he and his family have done, then there really should be schemes set up to help them settle in. He says he and his family need to learn about British culture and way of life in order for them to settle and fit in.
He clearly feels frustrated that his skills are not being used and that stuck in a hotel, however generous of the British people, he is unable to move forward in his life.
I hope that things improve for him, and that his longed for integration with the British people happens for him.
Keeping people safe is not enough. We need to help them settle, integrate, and move forward with their lives in a productive way, both for themselves and for society.
When people arrive illegally, then it’s a different matter, but these people arrived legally, with our help and support and they should not be abandoned in a hotel for months.

Absolutely, maddyone. My heart goes out to him, and to the other refugees (and to those who didn’t make it out of Afghanistan).

AIBU to feel really offended by this?

Yes.

The big problem is that asylum seekers are kept hanging in limbo for years, in France they are processed within 6 months, in the U.K. it quite usual for it to be 6 or more YEARS. They aren’t allowed to work in this time. Why shouldn’t they be allowed to work and contribute , after , say 6 months of application ? At least they could be contributing something.

Yes you are being unreasonable. I wonder how you would be if tables were turned. Walk a mile in his shoes…

So he wants to work for a living. I think the system is flawed. Asylum seekers should be allowed to work too. Why are we supporting people who are perfectly capable of getting jobs and paying rent and tax, and also be traceable through their NHS numbers?
The real tax thieves who are using the system are people like this.
lloydhardy.com/news/Jacob_Rees_Mogg_Makes_Billions_From_No_Deal_Brexit/

I might be repeating myself so I apologise if I am, but how much are companies like Serco getting paid for detaining them too? surely it would be better and more economical (and more humane) to process people quickly so they can integrate and work.

Exactly Jane

i believe the standard maintenance allowance for asylum seekers is £35 per person per week.
they may be housed in hostels.
they have no recourse to public funds and are not allowed to work.
they have bail conditions whereby they have to present at an immigration centre to sign on regularly.
these are often in distant locations, and they have to find their way, with expensive transport, several buses and trains and walking. they are often in desolate industrial estates.
if they are late, they may have their application rejected.
it is a very hostile environment.

I don't know how anyone could get public transport to Yarl's Wood. It's in the middle of nowhere.

The hostels (most of which seem to be derelict office buildings) are run by private companies. They get hell of a lot of money for cashing in on people's desperation.

vegansrock

The big problem is that asylum seekers are kept hanging in limbo for years, in France they are processed within 6 months, in the U.K. it quite usual for it to be 6 or more YEARS. They aren’t allowed to work in this time. Why shouldn’t they be allowed to work and contribute , after , say 6 months of application ? At least they could be contributing something.

Yep, my friends. Now up to NINE years. They're approved, but their visas aren't finished. It is having ridiculous effects on them. Neither of the adults can work. 19 year old daughter can't go to university.

They ARE housed properly now but spent 8 1/2 years in hostels and a family of 4 in a one bedroom flat. I think the parents are OKish because they remember what they fled from, but the 19 year old is suffering depression because her life is in limbo.

I don't think he is moaning but what a shock we must all be! I am sure that one of the problems is the vast difference between expectations and reality. If the person is well educated and ready to work they probably can't imagine that they wont be able to be of some use. Also as I have said before once they are here in Britain they are trapped, no possibility of going off round Europe or any where else. Like the people waiting for a boat from France they are going to spend a lot of time in a hotel room and then be offered a home in places they have never heard of.Very sad for everyone.