<
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/dec/04/nauru-australia-offshore-processing-asylum-seekers-conditions-hunger-declining-health>
"Asylum seekers sent to Nauru by Australia say they are going hungry on the
island, prohibited from working to support themselves and given insufficient
money to buy enough food.
Others say they fear the Nauru government will deport them to their home
countries, from where they say they have fled persecution and violence.
More than 160 people have been sent to Nauru by the Australian government since
the offshore processing regime restarted on the Pacific island in 2023.
Asylum seekers awaiting processing are given a $230 a fortnight stipend for
food and supplies.
A public notice posted by Nauru’s justice secretary, Jay Udit, in late November
warned that all asylum seekers are forbidden from working while their
application is being processed.
“The law of Nauru does not allow a foreign person to work in Nauru unless he or
she has a visa granted by the department of immigration to work. Any person who
works without such a visa, commits an offence and is liable to be prosecuted or
deported,” the notice, seen by
Guardian Australia, says.
Asylum seekers could also have their living expenses cut, or cancelled, if they
are caught working, the government’s decree warns.
The notice also warns Nauruan businesses not to employ asylum seekers.
Home affairs officials confirmed in Senate estimates on Tuesday that Nauru’s
policy prevents asylum seekers from working. Those who are granted refugee
status after a protection claim – so far, only eight people since 2023 – are
able to apply to work legally.
Under the agreement between Nauru and Australia, the refugee status
determination process has a target timeframe of 60 days.
But some asylum seekers have been held on Nauru for more than four months –
double that time – without a decision on their protection claim, and say they
are going hungry while they wait for a decision."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
