ASYLUM SEEKER WORKERS TRY TO SAVE 135 JOBS

19-05-2008

Campaigners trying to save 135 jobs at a centre for asylum seekers in Birmingham are picketing the Government Office for the West Midlands in Colmore Row today. They claim interim managers appointed by the Charity Commission have turned a profitable company into a loss making one.

The row centres on Astonbrook, a hostel based at the old YWCA building on Bristol Road in Edgbaston, which houses mainly Somalian immigrants.

Last July, the Charity Commission launched a fraud investigation and appointed the accountants and business advisors Baker Tilley to replace the centre managers on an interim basis.

Although the police were called in, no charges have been brought – and in the meantime, according to the protestors, a company which made an annual profit of more than £1 million on a £14 million turnover has been brought to its knees.

They blame Baker Tilley’s fees which are in excess of £1 million.

It’s also alleged that a major Home Office contract has been terminated, putting jobs of all the Astonbrook staff in jeopardy.

Baker Tilly say this is down to a “misunderstanding”, but refuse to comment on their fees.

In the meantime, Astonbrook workers like Berrenga Forbes are left in a state of confusion, and today’s picket follows a similar action at the hostel on Friday.

Forbes said: “I am likely to lose my job if the centre closes, and people are very angry. It’s only since we were forced to take this action that Baker Tilley have shown any interest in letting us know what’s happening.

"We have had no news whatsoever.  There's a letter from the Home Office inviting other providers to tender for our contract for tender, and we have Baker Tilley telling us that they haven't given up our contract.

"Which one is telling the truth?"

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