At the beginning of the meeting, representatives of the public authorities briefly informed the audience on the current developments in the field of asylum seekers, refugees and persons with alternative status, including the changes in the conditions for granting benefits and other social support, opportunities for studying the Latvian language, as well as employment issues.
Later, the representatives of the field answered several questions by asylum seekers from Syria and Eritrea regarding finding a place to live, distribution of benefits, possible social assistance, Latvian language courses, job search opportunities, recognition of educational documents in Latvia, and other issues. Up-to-date information on benefits was provided with regard to changes in laws and regulations. Namely, as of 1 June 2017, conditions for benefits to refugees and persons with alternative status have changed, prescribing that, in situations where people do not have sufficient means of subsistence, they have the right to apply for an increase in the initial benefit during the first month – EUR 278 for the first person in the family and EUR 194 for each subsequent family member, so that the person can pay rent (make a deposit / pay guarantee amount) and satisfy other needs.
At the same time, it was mentioned that the current monthly benefit of EUR 139 for the first person in the family and EUR 97 for each subsequent family member remains the same, while the period for the benefit payment is shorter now – from twelve to ten months for refugees and from nine to seven months for persons with alternative status. It was also pointed out that, as of 1 June 2017, for persons of working age the benefit is linked to registration with SEA and the implementation of socio-economic inclusion measures (the benefit is not paid if the person has left the country and does not fulfil the unemployed or job-seeker`s obligations). Since the benefit is now being paid by two institutions – OCMA and SSIA – the beneficiaries of the international protection status now have to submit two applications to two different institutions in order to claim the said benefit.
One of the main issues, which asylum seekers are most concerned about, is whether they will have a place to live after receiving protection status and leaving Accommodation Centre for Asylum Seekers “Mucenieki”. Some asylum seekers, at the same time, mentioned the lack of educational activities for school-age children while educational institutions have a break – they believe that children have nothing to do at the Accommodation Centre for Asylum Seekers during school breaks. Representatives of public authorities focused on various options for seeking support.
When answering questions by asylum seekers, emphasis was laid on using employment services, including the Latvian language course, as the key to successful socio-economic inclusion in society.
During the conversation, asylum seekers repeatedly mentioned that they wanted to do some good for Latvia and did not intend to “live on benefits”. One of the attendees, a young man from Eritrea, admitted: “Before I went to Latvia, I had heard some negative comments, but now I understand that they were not true. I am pleasantly surprised by the support and assistance received so far.”
Several asylum seekers noted the usefulness of this meeting for the understanding of various issues and the future efforts of socio-economic inclusion. They were thankful for such a unique opportunity to meet several government experts from the relevant field.
The informative meeting was organised under “The Support Actions for Persons under International Protection” project implemented with the support of the Asylum, Migration and Integration Foundation by society “Shelter “Safe House””. Period of implementation of the project: 1 July 2016 – 31 December 2017 The goal of the project is to ensure courses and informative events suited to the needs of persons under international protection promoting their inclusion in the society of Latvia. The duration of the project is 18 months, and it is planned to provide support to 530 people, including adults, children and illiterate asylum seekers, within the framework of the project. The project is co-financed by the European Union. Grant Agreement No. PMIF/9/2016/1/03.
Information was prepared by: Rasa Salina (Rasa Saliņa), Communications and Social Media Expert, e-mail: rasa.salina@gmail.com
