June 20 is World Refugee Day. On this occasion, several NGOs jointly called for improvements in the asylum system, including free access to the labor market and care for unaccompanied minor refugees from day one.
Currently, not a day goes by without fear being expressed against refugees, said Shoura Hashemi, director general of Amnesty International. However, these do not pose a danger to the population. A debate is needed aimed at finding solutions based on solidarity. For NGOs such as Amnesty International, Train of Hope, Asylcoordination, Ute Bock association and SOS Balkan Route, this means, for example, that they have to care for unaccompanied children and young people from day one. Currently, they are often without school for months and do not know what will happen to them. To change that, higher daily rates are needed.
Work as an ‘integration leap’
Gerd Trimmal of the Ute Bock association called for better access to the labor market for refugees during a press conference. “For people, finding a job is a step towards integration.” Asylum seekers are allowed to accept work after three months under certain circumstances, but bureaucratic hurdles are high and would prevent entrepreneurs from getting this opportunity.
Moreover, the additional income limits for basic care are too narrow. The work permit in Trimmal should be revoked without replacement, which would mean that the same rules would apply to everyone as to those expelled from Ukraine. The NGOs also see the need for action. Train of Hope criticized the “Red-White-Red Card Plus” as a “niche solution” for high earners. People should be transferred from basic care to social assistance.
Caritas joined the call for better access to the labor market, otherwise enormous potential would be lost (see quote above). This requires comprehensive and free German courses, as well as rapid recognition of qualifications and work experience gained in the country of origin.
“Smuggling network is flourishing”
SOS Balkan Route spoke of a flourishing smuggling network that was better organized than ever. As a positive example, former Afghan FIFA referee Ibrahim Rasool was mentioned, who was supported by his organization and has now been granted a residence permit. He should actually have been deported to Croatia, but this was opposed due to police brutality.
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
