Ukrainian and Afghan Refugees

Part of 1. Questions to the Minister for Social Justice – in the Senedd at 1:38 pm on 4 May 2022.

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Photo of Joel James Joel James Conservative 1:38, 4 May 2022

Thank you, Minister. I recently met with a representative from the Displaced People in Action group, who are advocating that we have an opportunity to help Afghan and Ukrainian refugees in Wales to gain skill sets that will help them both integrate here and will be useful if and when they're able to return to their home countries. An example that has already been mentioned in the Chamber before would be to give Afghan refugees—many of whom have former military experience—the opportunity to train as HGV drivers. They also advocated that refugee organisations should be supported by the Welsh Government, especially for overhead and management costs, and be provided funding so that they can host projects that provide relevant services. I believe that is important with regard to Afghan and Ukrainian refugees who are uniquely exposed to being targeted by unscrupulous people to work for cash and below minimum wage, or could even be forced into slave-labour conditions. Minister, as the lead on such matters in Wales, what conversations have you had with the UK Government concerning plans to access the long-term needs and current skill sets of Afghan and Ukrainian refugees in Wales, and what pathways have been proposed to help them from being targeted? Thank you.