Cross-border cooperation is our way to take responsibility for refugees Reception Conditions for Asylum Seekers in Europe materials for a better practice The Information and Cooperation Forum (ICF) Presents: Cross-border asylum network

Cross-border cooperation is our way to take responsibility for refugees ICF: NGOs from Germany, Austria, Poland, Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovakia and Slovenia Targets:  improvement of reception conditions in the Member States of the European Union  cooperation, qualification, lobbying Issues:  accommodation  social benefits (including withdrawal and Dublin II cases)  medical care  access to labour and education / training  social work and social counselling  freedom of movement  participation of refugees

Cross-border cooperation is our way to take responsibility for refugees The EU Council Directive 2003/9/EC of 27 January 2003 on Minimum Standards of Reception Conditons for Asylum Seekers  the implementation: harmonisation or downgrading?  why improvement of reception conditions?

Cross-border cooperation is our way to take responsibility for refugees 1. Access to Labour Market and Vocational Training*  basic needs of refugees and asylum seekers  the EU Council Directive 2003/9/EC on access to labour market *Under the ICF lead agency of Halina Niec Legal Aid Centre

Cross-border cooperation is our way to take responsibility for refugees 2. Getting Asylum Seekers into Work: Problems  denied access to labour leads to –loss of qualifications –loss of self-confidence –health and integration problems  more obstacles are –only restricted access to labour markets –reluctance of employers to hire asylum seekers –qualifications are not recognised –asylum seekers are seen as „competitors“ to nationals

Cross-border cooperation is our way to take responsibility for refugees 3.Steps to improvements  keep and enhance qualifications  reduce access barriers  enhance job market opportunities through creation of alternatives

Cross-border cooperation is our way to take responsibility for refugees 4. No labour permit – what to do?  orientation, language and vocational trainings  assessment of qualifications  occupations outside the regular labour market

Cross-border cooperation is our way to take responsibility for refugees 5. Overcoming Obstacles  creating new kinds of job experience  establishing links with employers  linking skills with jobs  assessment of market needs

Cross-border cooperation is our way to take responsibility for refugees Relevant Actors in the Field  NGOs  employment agencies  gouvernmental agencies  research institutes  ….  brought together in EQUAL development partnerships

Cross-border cooperation is our way to take responsibility for refugees Recommendations  no exclusion from the labour market  strengthening of skills and competences  overcome obstacles

Cross-border cooperation is our way to take responsibility for refugees THANK YOU! For further information please contact