legal and social conditions for asylum seekers and refugees in ...

SOCIAL CONDITIONS FOR PERSONS UNDER TEMPORARY PROTECTION
Introduction/legal basis
In accordance with a circular of the Ministry of Interior of 19 May 1999, temporary protection was
granted to Kosovo Albanians in the form of residence permit, valid for six months and which could
be prolonged as long as necessary. This status was no longer granted after 3 September 1999.
The persons who already held the status (or had applied for it) at that date were allowed to stay
until 2 March 2000, and even 30 June 2000 for families with school-aged children.
Social rights granted to Kosovo Albanians under temporary protection are defined in the circular
of 19 May 1999.
Accommodation
Persons under temporary protection are referred to a CPAS, which must offer them
accommodation. If the CPAS is not able to offer such accommodation, or if its offer is refused
because the person does not want to live in this commune, no accommodation is made available
and the person concerned must find a place to stay on his/her own.
Financial assistance
Work
The same as for asylum seekers under normal determination procedure.
Persons under temporary protection are allowed to work under the same conditions as asylum
seekers under normal determination procedure.
Language tuition
Language tuition in French or Dutch are provided by various organisations, but there is no
programme designed exclusively for persons under temporary protection.
School attendance/education
The same as for children of asylum seekers and refugees.
Mother tongue tuition
No mother tongue tuition is offered in Belgian schools.
Social activities conducted in Albanian are provided by the four Kosovo Albanians clubs
established in Belgium.
Unaccompanied minors
Families hosting unaccompanied minors under temporary protection are entitled to child benefit
regardless of whether the child is a relative or not.
Health/sickness
The same as for asylum seekers under normal determination procedure.
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Belgium