Author
Applicants have the right to work after 9 months from the day of lodging the application upon which the Ministry of Interior has not yet rendered any decision, if the procedure has not been completed due to no fault of the applicant.[1] To this end, they do not need a residence or work permit, or a work registration certificate, until the decision on their application is final.[2]
The Ministry of Interior should issue a document at the request of an applicant to certify that the applicant has acquired the right to work. On the other side, if the applicant does not meet the conditions, the Ministry shall render a decision refusing to issue the certificate.[3]
In 2022, the Administrative Court in Zagreb received 2 lawsuits regarding certificates granting the right to work, which were rejected.[4]
According to the Croatian Employment Service (CES) registration in the records of the CES is regulated by Law on Labour Market as of 1 January 2019.[5] According to the data of the CES, 2 female applicants for international protection (one from Ukraine and 1 from Russian Federation)) were registered in their records of unemployed persons on 31 December 2022, while 2 applicants for international protection were receiving individual counselling at CES.[6]
Applicants can work on a voluntary basis in both Reception Centres.[7] According to the Ordinance on the Realisation of Material Reception Conditions, applicants accommodated in the Reception Centre for Applicants for International Protection may, at their own request and with a signed statement, assist in activities related to the maintenance of the centre and housing such as cleaning, landscaping, gardening, help in storehouse, washing, ironing, painting the walls, etc., and can be voluntarily involved in work for the benefit of local community or the work of humanitarian organisations.
Are You Syrious (AYS) reported that, in the last quarter of 2022, they provided information to applicants of international protection on the right to work and provided support in job searching (e.g. writing CVs, contacting employers).[8] As a shortcoming to the current legislative solution, they pointed out the 9 months period for implementation of right to work, which prevents early integration into the labour market.
Centre for Peace Studies[9] and Rehabilitation Centre for Stress and Trauma[10] also provide support in job searching.
[1] Article 61(1) LITP.
[2] Article 61(5) LITP.
[3] Article 61(2)-(3) LITP.
[4] Information provided by Administrative Court in Zagreb, 23 January 2023.
[5] Article 14 Law on Labour Market, Official Gazette 118/2018, 32/2020, 18/2022.
[6] Information provided by the Croatian Employment Service, 12 January 2023.
[7] Article 19 Ordinance on the Realisation of Material Reception Conditions.
[8] Information provided by AYS, 3 February 2023.
[9] Information provided by Centre for Peace Studies, 18 January 2023.
[10] Information provided by Rehabilitation Centre for Stress and Trauma, 18 January 2023.