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EMN Study: Integration of applicants for international protection in the labour market ,
What factors influence the labour market integration of applicants for international protection? This study analyses the legislation, policies and practices of the EMN Member Countries in the period 2017 - 2022.
This EMN study documents the access of applicants for international protection to the labour market, complementing an earlier EMN study (2019) on the labour market integration of third-country nationals excluding asylum seekers. It identifies conditions, restrictions and procedures in EMN Member Countries for the labour market access of applicants for international protection and the key actors involved in their implementation. Examples of challenges and good practice are also provided.
Background
Between 2017 and 2022, more than three million applications for international protection were made, with the highest number recorded in 2022. The majority of these applicants will be of working age. This group of people also represents a potential workforce for the labour markets of the EMN Member Countries, particularly in the light of existing labour and skills shortages.
Access to the labour market for applicants for international protection is regulated by the revised Reception Conditions Directive (2013/33/EU). According to Article 15(1) of this Directive, EU Member States must ensure that applicants have access to the la-bour market within nine months of submitting their application for international pro-tection. After the waiting period, most EU Member States grant access to the labour market, usually through a work permit or an alternative form of authorisation.
Differing attitudes and practices regarding accessing the labour market
As regards the length of the waiting period, there are two different positions among Member Countries: One side is in favour of shortening the waiting period in order to speed up access. The other side is in favour of lengthening it in order to prevent possible abuse of the asylum system.
The study shows that between 2017 and 2022, most EMN Member Countries allow a shorter waiting period of six months or less. Several countries have taken steps to facilitate access to the labour market through language courses and integration into different sectors of the economy. At the same time, various restrictions on access to the labour market are being discussed.
The comparative EMN study is only available in English.
The EMN Inform and the EMN Flash are short summaries and are also only available in English (see "Downloads" under "Further Information").