legal and social conditions for asylum seekers and refugees in ...
legal and social conditions for asylum seekers and refugees in ...
legal and social conditions for asylum seekers and refugees in ...
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SOCIAL CONDITIONS FOR ASYLUM SEEKERS<br />
Accommodation<br />
Based on a written agreement with the M<strong>in</strong>istry of Justice, the Icel<strong>and</strong>ic Red Cross is responsible<br />
<strong>for</strong> provid<strong>in</strong>g accommodation to <strong>asylum</strong> <strong>seekers</strong> arriv<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> Icel<strong>and</strong>. The first three months of<br />
accommodation are f<strong>in</strong>anced by the Red Cross itself <strong>and</strong> by the M<strong>in</strong>istry of Justice afterwards.<br />
Asylum <strong>seekers</strong> are accommodated <strong>in</strong> guesthouses where they are allowed to stay <strong>for</strong> the whole<br />
duration of the procedure. This is not compulsory, <strong>and</strong> applicants who have relatives or friends<br />
already liv<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> Icel<strong>and</strong> may stay with them if they wish to do so.<br />
F<strong>in</strong>ancial assistance<br />
Work<br />
Asylum <strong>seekers</strong> are provided with free lodg<strong>in</strong>g <strong>and</strong> medical service other than medic<strong>in</strong>es. They<br />
may also receive assistance <strong>in</strong> the <strong>for</strong>m of second h<strong>and</strong> or new cloth<strong>in</strong>g.<br />
In addition, applicants are granted a weekly allowance <strong>in</strong>tended to cover all m<strong>in</strong>or personal<br />
expenses such as transport, telephone calls, leisure activities, medic<strong>in</strong>e <strong>and</strong> food. At the time of<br />
writ<strong>in</strong>g, the rates of this allowance are as follows:<br />
Adult over 18 ISK 10.500 EUR 152.6<br />
Couple ISK 21.000 EUR 305.1<br />
Child ISK 5.000 EUR.72.6<br />
Asylum <strong>seekers</strong> are not permitted to take up paid employment. Should they wish to do so, The<br />
Icel<strong>and</strong>ic Red Cross may provide them with voluntary work.<br />
Language tuition<br />
Asylum <strong>seekers</strong> are entitled to up to 100 hours of Icel<strong>and</strong>ic language course as well as up to 64<br />
hours of computer skills.<br />
School attendance<br />
In pr<strong>in</strong>ciple, children of <strong>asylum</strong> <strong>seekers</strong> have no access to the national school system. So far<br />
there have not been any school-aged children amongst the <strong>asylum</strong> <strong>seekers</strong> who came to Icel<strong>and</strong>.<br />
Unaccompanied m<strong>in</strong>ors<br />
Such cases have not occurred so far.<br />
Health/sickness<br />
All <strong>asylum</strong> <strong>seekers</strong> undergo a compulsory medical check up be<strong>for</strong>e receiv<strong>in</strong>g either the<br />
permanent or temporary residence permit. Medical care, except <strong>for</strong> medic<strong>in</strong>es <strong>and</strong> dental<br />
treatment, is provided free of charge.<br />
Freedom of movement<br />
Asylum <strong>seekers</strong> are allowed to travel freely with<strong>in</strong> Icel<strong>and</strong>.<br />
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Icel<strong>and</strong>
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