Author
Applicants for international protection are entitled to access the labour market after six months from the initiation of the asylum procedure, except where the administrative action against the decision of the Ministry issued in the asylum procedure does not have suspensive effect and the administrative court has not granted suspensive effect, or where the cassation court has not granted suspensive effect to a cassation complaint against the decision of the administrative court concerning the administrative action against the Ministry’s decision in the asylum procedure.[1]
Applicants remain entitled to remain employed during the court’s examination of the request for suspensive effect pursuant to the previous paragraph, provided that, at the time of employment, the applicant fulfilled the conditions set out therein.[2]
In practice, upon request by an applicant for international protection, the MO issues a confirmation certifying the applicant’s entitlement to access the labour market. However, many employers are unfamiliar with this type of confirmation and with the legal status of asylum seekers more generally. Employers often express concerns about the risk of unlawful employment, particularly when the confirmation is presented together with asylum seeker identification documents that differ from standard residence permits. As a result, in some cases legal representatives supporting applicants need to communicate directly with employers to explain the applicable legal framework and confirm that employment is lawful. In addition, applicants face practical barriers to employment, including language difficulties and logistical challenges related to commuting to potential workplaces. Both accommodation centres for asylum seekers are located in rural areas, which may limit access to employment opportunities and increase transportation costs and time requirements.
Asylum seekers do not have access to state-funded vocational training schemes specifically designed for jobseekers or beneficiaries of social assistance.
[1] Article 23(6) of the Asylum Act.
[2] Article 23(7) of the Asylum Act.