Brando Benifei: "Integration of refugees needed but not at expense of vulnerable groups" | WPN World People News

Finding employment is a crucial step for refugees to integrate in society become economically independent. However, with high levels of unemployment in the EU, some people are concerned about increased competition on the labour market. The employment committee adopted on Monday 30 May a report proposing concrete measure to tackle these challenges. We interviewed report author Brando Benifei, an Italian member of the S&D group, before the vote.

Brando Benifei

The refugee crisis has already seriously affected politics in Europe and looks set to continue to do so. How does your report answer the economic and social questions raised by people in Europe who fear the influx of refugees?

We must support integration policies for refugees because this way they can become productive and useful for the development of the host societies. However, we do insist that this not be done at the expense of other vulnerable groups, such as disabled people, the unemployed or large families.

We want more resources for social policy in Europe. The integration of those who get international protection - an obligation even as human beings in terms of solidarity for those who escape wars and threats to their life - has to be done in a way that does not create social dumping, intolerance or social dislocation in the host countries. The crisis hit a lot of European countries and we still see the economic consequences. We need to address the integration of refugees in a way that is not perceived as cancelling the policies that are there to support people in difficulties.

The main inspiration for our proposals is: integration is indeed a great challenge, but can be turned into a resource, an opportunity.

Finding work is crucial for refugees to provide for themselves and integrate in society. What problems are they confronted with?

They are confronted with many problems even after their asylum request is accepted: language problems, the problem of getting their skills and competencies recognised, discrimination, integration problems in a country that is sometimes very different from the one they come from. These problems need to be dealt with effectively and at an early stage - to better understand who they are in terms of skills and how we can help with training and education.

In the report we also discuss possible modifications of the present legislation on refugees accessing the labour market, including for refugees and asylum seekers to be guaranteed labour market access in six months rather than the current nine. It is important to train people so they can meet the needs of businesses and to help them find jobs based on their competencies and qualifications.

What specific measures should be taken to facilitate their integration?

We need language courses and tailor-made programmes through the employment services. New technologies can serve as a means of communication. There are many examples in member states of the intelligent use of mobile apps and internet portals.

We also need to remove administrative obstacles both in the processing of asylum requests, sometimes lengthy and muddled, as well as streamlining and simplifying the necessary paperwork for make access to employment and services as effective as possible. Making integration work does not only require updated legislative instruments, but also a well-balanced mix of measures involving all actors on the ground.

Source: European Parliament