Unifying standards for the reception of asylum seekers

Reform of European Asylum System: MEPs want access to the labour market after two months

A new law on EU standards for the reception of applicants for international protection was adopted today by the European Parliament’s Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs. The law introduces obligations for all Member States to guarantee the same minimal reception conditions of applicants for international protection, including their rights and obligations.

Salvatore Domenico Pogliese MEP, the EPP Group’s Spokesman on the law, said: “It is high time to put an end to differences in approach to applicants for international protection in the Member States. The current situation, where some Member States fail to comply with reception standards of applicants, is one of the main reasons for migrants repeatedly applying for asylum in other Member States. However, the EPP Group made it clear that EU citizens’ working opportunities and social benefits will not be compromised by any quotas for asylum seekers accessing the labour market.”

“Granting asylum is just the beginning of a long path of integration of an asylum seeker. Learning the language of his or her new host country and understanding new rights, traditions and customs are the main challenges ahead of every applicant. The obligation of Member States to organise free language and civic education courses is therefore highly important for the successful integration of people who are granted asylum in the EU”, said Pogliese, explaining other key EPP Group priorities.

Apart from harmonising the access of applicants to the labour market and social systems, the new law, proposed as a part of a bigger reform of the Common European Asylum System, guarantees dignified treatment of applicants, such as their right to access to healthcare. At the same time, it imposes duties of applicants to remain in the Member State that is responsible for them and to reside in an assigned place, such as in an accommodation centre, in cases where the applicants have not complied with their obligations.