The use of wristbands to identify asylum seekers has been condemned by campaigners
A Home Office contractor has been criticised for making asylum seekers wear red wristbands at all times in order to get meals.
Clearsprings Ready Homes is contracted to supply accommodation for refugees at Lynx House in Cardiff and it has emerged asylum seekers at the property must wear the brightly coloured wristbands in order to claim breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Eric Ngalle, a 36-year-old refugee who stayed at Lynx House, reportedly said motorists on nearby roads would tell the wristband wearers to “go back to your country”.
Housing bosses said the bands were discreet and do not single out residents – but human rights groups have condemned the practice.
The Welsh Refugee Council (WRC) said the wristbands echoed the yellow star that Jewish people were forced to wear in Nazi Germany saying the practice was ” treating people like lesser beings. It is treating them like animals lining up to feed.”
The move echoes a controversy last week over asylum seekers in Middlesbrough being targeted by racist thugs after a housing firm painted their doors red.
The Home Office declined to comment, but said it was “an operational issue” for Clearsprings Ready Homes.
