Asylum seekers left on their own after coronavirus takes their livelihoods

Already living at the fringes of society, asylum seekers on temporary visas have been pushed further into disadvantage post-COVID-19. But some South Australians are helping them.

Pakistan asylum seekers Wajahat Ali and his wife Saiqa Ali are on temporary visas and have been forced to close their food stall at Bowden’s Plant 4 market due to COVID-19. Picture: Tricia Watkinson

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Asylum-seekers left further on the margins during the COVID-19 crisis are receiving a lifeline from generous South Australians – but more is needed.

The Welcoming Centre, in Bowden, has been inundated with requests for emergency relief from asylum-seekers and refugees – among the first unemployed by the pandemic.

Concerns escalated yesterday after Federal Government assistance announcements for unemployed visa holders failed to address asylum-seekers on temporary protection and bridging visas who cannot access benefits.

Welcoming Centre founder Brad Chilcott said asylum-seekers – some as old as 71 – on bridging visas who have had their special benefits for basic living expenses cut off were suffering the most.

“Demand has gone up significantly and many of our regular donors are self-isolating or are restricted to purchasing limited amounts of staple foods like rice and pasta.”

Mr Chilcott said many asylum-seekers began losing casual work up to three weeks ago, with little or no rent assistance and mouths to feed.

Among those struggling are Wajahat and Saiqa Ali, food stallholders at the Plant 4 marketplace in Bowden, which closed last month due the virus.

The couple and their three children, from a Muslim minority in Pakistan, hold protection visas that do not qualify for unemployment assistance.

They have less than a month of savings left for rent and a GST bill due for their last quarter’s earnings.

Petria Ladgrove and her daughter Olivia, donating a basket full of groceries to Brad Chilcott at the Welcoming Centre in Bowden. Pic: Tait Schmaal

“I don’t know what we will do,” Mr Wajahat said.

North Adelaide mother-of-two Petria Ladgrove recently delivered chickpeas, pasta, lentils and toiletries to the Welcoming Centre.

“Every time I shop, I try to get something extra for the Welcoming Centre,” Ms Ladgrove said.

Refugee advocates and the federal Opposition want the Government to give more than 1.6 million temporary visa holders urgent access to special benefit payments.

A department of Social Services spokeswoman said some temporary protect visa holders could qualify for the special benefit if facing significant financial hardship.

The Welcoming Centre is open Tuesdays and Thursdays for donations. Call 8346 3843 or email [e-mail]