Judges consider asylum seekers’ right to work

A seven-judge Supreme Court is hearing an important appeal concerning asylum seekers’ right to work.

The appeal is by a Burmese man who lived in Direct Provision for more than eight years before getting refugee status. The case is against the Minister for Justice, with the Attorney General and Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission as notice parties.

The man argued that, while living in Direct Provision on a €19 weekly allowance, he suffered depression and “almost complete loss of autonomy” and being allowed work was vital to his development, personal dignity, and “sense of self-worth”.