N. Mitarakis: ‘We are now investing in legal immigration’

“Our country, like all countries of the European Union, responded with unprecedented speed and determination to the humanitarian crisis that hit our neighborhood,” said the Minister of Immigration and Asylum, Notis Mitarakis, during the discussion of the bill in plenary. Mr. Mitarakis, who referred to what was done to host and support the displaced from Ukraine, informed the national delegation about the provisions of the Ministry of Immigration and Asylum that have been included in the bill, to emphasize that the government has committed “to put it in order “, he did and” now, we are investing in legal immigration “.

Regarding the actions in relation to the displaced from Ukraine, the Minister of Immigration and Asylum said that “with the vote of Greece, Directive 55/2001 was activated, which was incorporated with Presidential Decree 80/2006, to provide a status, initially 12 months, temporary protection for displaced Ukrainian citizens, family members and recognized refugees “. Mr. Mitarakis informed the national delegation that, in total, 13,000 people, so far, have found refuge in Greece.

“We optimized, in good cooperation with the Ministry of Civil Protection, the process of entry of Ukrainian citizens in our country. We created a Reception Center in Promachonas, the main entry point. We created a special entrance lane. Immediately renovating an old building to have a reception area “In addition to hot drinks, food, a warm welcome. We initially had three accommodation structures,” said the Minister of Immigration and Asylum, adding that the structure in Sintiki, Serres, a new structure, is used for short-term accommodation. arrive in Greece from Promachonas.

“There, we have the possibility of first accommodation in specially designed houses and offer a hot drink, meals and personal hygiene items. In addition, we have provided the structures of Elefsina and Serres for the hospitality of Ukrainians”, Mr. Mitarakis underlined, adding that – in the first phase – up to 15,000 beds are immediately available, which can be gradually increased, if needed.

“Today, the national reception system has 30,000 vacancies, thanks to the substantial decongestion of the islands and the hinterland. You realize that such an emergency could not be dealt with by a reception system that had reached and exceeded its limits,” he said. Mitarakis.

He added that the fixed-term contracts of a total of 221 employees serving in the central service and in the regional structures of the Reception and Identification Service (YPYT) are renewed, who support the operation of 32 structures inland and six Reception and Identification Centers at the border, as well as and departments of the central service of the Ministry of the Interior.

Also, the validity of employment contracts under the responsibility of the National Organization of Public Health (EODY) for the completion of the program “Integrated Emergency Health Intervention for the refugee crisis”, which is funded by the Ministry of Immigration and Asylum. “We are, therefore, ready for the hosting. As we are ready for the registration and provision of temporary protection. It is already foreseen the creation of an electronic pre-registration platform that will be put into operation on 28/3 and will provide the possibility to all potential beneficiaries to declare their basic details and receive an individualized appointment at the Asylum Service Offices “, said Mr. Mitarakis and added that the process of issuing a temporary protection ID will start from 4/4 at the Regional Asylum Offices of Thessaloniki, Attica, Patras and Of Crete. These are points of a stop, where the beneficiaries will receive the residence permit – in the colors of the Ukrainian flag – and where biometric data and photos will be taken. The residence permit will also indicate the AMKA and AFM numbers, necessary for access to the National Health System and the labor market. The connection with the competent services will be done automatically and digitally, freeing the beneficiaries from the need for another personal presence in public services “, noted Mr. Mitarakis.

“We are pursuing, from the outset, a fair but strict immigration policy. We have set as our main objectives the reduction of migration flows and the effects of the crisis on local communities. While Europe is experiencing a 57% increase in flows, Greece has regained control and is not the main gateway “, stressed the Minister of Immigration and Asylum and added:” We managed to reduce the total flows from 72,422 in 2019 to 8,745 in 2021, ie a reduction of 88%. The lowest flows of the decade. The reduction of flows, the acceleration of the asylum process and the takeover of the structures by the government reduced the effects of the crisis on the local communities, with the decongestion of the islands, with the closure of 88 inland structures, with the reduction of the accommodation places in Athens and Thessaloniki “.

“Reclaiming control over immigration, therefore, goes through the drastic confrontation of illegal immigration”, Mr. Mitarakis pointed out to underline: “We committed to put order. We did it. its procedures, and in this direction provisions are included in this bill “.

In relation to the more specific provisions of the multi-bill, the minister said that with article 81 the provision of the sixteenth article of law 4783/2021 (A ’38) returns to force and concerns the transfer of land workers with exceptional procedures, which will be valid for applications until the end of September 2022 to address the increased crop needs. That is, for work until the end of March 2023.

He also stated that there are improvements in the context of seasonal work both with amendments to Article 13 of the Immigration Code and with the introduction of a new type of residence permit for third-country nationals for the provision of seasonal work, following the regulations established by Law 4825/2021 (A ‘157). This new seasonal work permit for seasonal employment will be valid for one to five years so that a new national seasonal work visa does not need to be issued each year for the same person, for the convenience of both farmers and Greeks. consular authorities.

“With the aim of promoting legal and orderly migration as a counterweight to illegal immigration, we have signed a memorandum of cooperation with Bangladesh, which will soon be submitted to Parliament for ratification. Offering legal seasonal work permits without “At the same time, anticipating the rapid expulsion of those who entered our country illegally”, Mr. Mitarakis noted and added: “We are launching a new model of immigration in a legal and organized way against the smugglers’ circuits”.