[Pulsarblu]

Jobless refugee forced to sleep in car
18 September 2006
By KIM THOMAS

A Somali refugee has been living in his car for two months after being unable to get a house or a job in Christchurch.

Refugee Abdirashid Abdullahi's situation, while more extreme than many, mirrors the difficulties faced by immigrants to New Zealand.

They were outlined in a Massey University report released last week which found immigrant jobseekers were being discriminated against, particularly if they were thought to be Muslim.

Abdirashid Abdullahi told The Press through a translator that he came to Christchurch two months ago in the hope of securing work as a halal butcher.

People had told Abdullahi there was a lot of butchering work in the South Island.

However, unable to find a job or an affordable place to live, he said he was forced to sleep in his car.

On hearing about his predicament, Christchurch Muslim leaders allowed Abdullahi to park his vehicle in the mosque carpark rather than on the inner-city streets.

Abdullahi said he was on the waiting list for a Housing New Zealand home.

The 22-year-old said he came to New Zealand over two years ago as a refugee.

His parents were killed in the Somali civil war when he was seven.

Abdullahi said his uncle paid for him to come to New Zealand in 2004, where he was granted permanent residency.

Since arriving in the country, Abdullahi said he had worked as an orchard worker in the Hawkes Bay but this work had since dried up.

Abdullahi said because his grasp of English was poor, it was difficult for him to apply for jobs and houses, although he had been assisted by both the Muslim Association of Canterbury and Somalis living here.

"I feel neglected, forgotten, because I am forcing to live in my car."

The Massey University report found new immigrants were being discriminated against when looking for jobs, particularly if they are thought to be Muslim.

The report, Being Accepted: The Experience of Discrimination and Social Exclusion by Immigrants and Refugees in New Zealand, concluded many employers' attitudes were out of step with the realities of the rapidly increasing immigrant population and a shortage of workers.