Asylum-seekers allowed to work 24 weeks per year

Asylum-seekers in the Netherlands can from now on do paid work for 24 weeks a year. The measure is effective immediately.

Previously, asylum-seekers could work for 12 weeks per 52 weeks. Social Affairs Minister Piet Hein Donner announced yesterday that the cabinet has doubled this amount.

It is not relevant whether asylum-seekers have a chance of getting a residence permit. The extension will not however lead to the right to unemployment benefit (WW).

For asylum-seekers who work as artists, musicians or in film, or who provide technical support for musicians or artists, the extension is more limited. They can now work for 14 weeks instead of 12 per 52 weeks.

The extensions do not apply to asylum-seekers for whom the asylum procedure is shorter than six months. They were not allowed to work. This remains so.

Wider work opportunities has “clear positive aspects,” according to Donner’s ministry. “Asylum-seekers remain active, without there being a question of integration and settling down that the expectation of a work permit could arouse.”

The cabinet had already agreed in May 2007 on wider work opportunities for asylum-seekers following recommendations from the Socio-Economic Council (SER) and the Advisory Commission for Alien Affairs (ACVZ). “To make this possible in practice”, Donner has now adapted the Decree on the implementation of the Aliens Labour Act and determined the date of introduction as 13 February.

Source: NIS News, 14 February 2008