Jack
Before he came to Britain in 2000 to learn English, Jack, 34, ran a successful
medicine distribution company in the Ivory Coast. Unnerved by the rising political
tensions there, he decided to develop his skills and get a certificate in business
English by coming to London.
Once in England, war broke out, and he realised there was nothing for him to
go back to.
He chose to stay, even though he knew as an illegal he would have a tough time.
He worked as a porter for a time, paid £3.80 in cash – less than
than the minimum wage. But it meant he could rent a room and find his feet. He
then went to work as a cleaner, borrowing his friend’s passport and NI
number. He worked there for three years, earning £4.85 an hour.
He then bought a false passport which enabled him to take an extra job working
part-time in a supermarket.
It’s confusing, he says, having to remember the different identities he
has when he goes from one job to the other. “You need to be prepared psychologically”,
he says.
He works hard – 59 hours a week - and is studying for a distance-learning
qualification, but misses his family.
He is a committed Christian, who is very involved in his church. He has many
good friends. He loves sport, but is careful not to play football. If he broke
his leg, he says, he could be in hospital, and would have no right to sick pay.
It would be “a disaster”, he says.
What he most dislikes about being illegal is not being able to come and go.
If he naturalised, he says, he would be able to travel, pay taxes, buy a house,
set up a company – and to see his friends and family.
“I’m breaking the law,” he says, “but I’m not a
criminal. I’m forced to be dishonest.”
He says he now feels part of England.
“I’ve been here for seven years now. I’ve done a lot, achieved
a lot. I’ve got a lot to give this country. I could be very useful to the
community.”
Jack’s story is also featured in The Voice
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