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, REFUGEES AND PERSONS UNDER<br />
TEMPORARY PROTECTION<br />
Current situation<br />
Under the current situation, the Maltese authorities provide free medical care <strong>and</strong> free education<br />
to UNHCR m<strong>and</strong>ate <strong>refugees</strong> <strong>and</strong> people enjoy<strong>in</strong>g temporary protection, as well as <strong>asylum</strong><br />
<strong>seekers</strong>.<br />
Neither <strong>asylum</strong> <strong>seekers</strong> nor <strong>refugees</strong> are allowed to work, but some have unofficial jobs.<br />
UNHCR provides f<strong>in</strong>ancial assistance to m<strong>and</strong>ate <strong>refugees</strong>, as follows:<br />
F<strong>in</strong>ancial assistance provided by UNHCR<br />
First six months Second six months Next twelve months<br />
S<strong>in</strong>gle person Lm 100 EUR 40 Lm 50 EUR 20 Lm 25 EUR 10<br />
Married Couple Lm 150 EUR 50 Lm 75 EUR 30 Lm 50 EUR 20<br />
Children Lm 25 EUR 10 Lm 25 EUR 10 Lm 25 EUR 10<br />
In pr<strong>in</strong>ciple, UNHCR assistance is provided <strong>for</strong> a maximum period of two years. However,<br />
children cont<strong>in</strong>ue to receive the allowance until they reach the age of 16 <strong>and</strong> adults over the age<br />
of 61 <strong>and</strong> disabled persons are entitled to permanent assistance.<br />
No assistance is provided by UNHCR to <strong>asylum</strong> <strong>seekers</strong>.<br />
Asylum <strong>seekers</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>refugees</strong> may receive assistance from local NGOs, <strong>in</strong> particular the<br />
Emigrants’ Commission.<br />
Asylum Bill<br />
Accord<strong>in</strong>g to Section 10(1–2) of the Asylum Bill, <strong>asylum</strong> <strong>seekers</strong> must reside <strong>and</strong> rema<strong>in</strong> <strong>in</strong> the<br />
places that may be <strong>in</strong>dicated by the M<strong>in</strong>ister of Home Affairs. They have access to state<br />
education <strong>and</strong> tra<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g <strong>and</strong> have the right to receive state medical care <strong>and</strong> services. They are not<br />
allowed to work or carry on bus<strong>in</strong>ess unless allowed by the M<strong>in</strong>ister. The assistance granted to<br />
them will be determ<strong>in</strong>ed by way of regulation made by the M<strong>in</strong>ister of Home Affairs.<br />
Accord<strong>in</strong>g to Section 11, recognised <strong>refugees</strong> have the right to rema<strong>in</strong> <strong>in</strong> Malta <strong>and</strong> to be granted<br />
a residence permit, as well as a Convention Travel Document entitl<strong>in</strong>g them to leave <strong>and</strong> return to<br />
Malta without the need of any visa. Like <strong>asylum</strong> <strong>seekers</strong>, they have access to state education <strong>and</strong><br />
tra<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g <strong>and</strong> have the right to receive state medical care <strong>and</strong> services. The bill does not explicitly<br />
allow them to take up employment. However, it is mentioned that the M<strong>in</strong>ister of Home Affairs<br />
may make, <strong>in</strong> concurrence with the M<strong>in</strong>ister responsible <strong>for</strong> labour, provisions <strong>for</strong> the grant<strong>in</strong>g of<br />
work permits to <strong>refugees</strong>. The M<strong>in</strong>ister of Home Affairs has declared that such work permits<br />
would be granted.<br />
201<br />
Malta
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