1. Integration of Refugees EESC-Opinion
adopted April 27th 2016 by 213 votes
Rapporteurs:
Christa Schweng and Panagiotis Gkofas

2. Integration of Refugees – opinion
What is integration?
No common definition, but a common understanding, that it is a two-way dynamic process.
Integration needs to be linked with the values and principles set out in the Treaty, the Charter of Fundamental Rights, the European Convention on Human Rights, the Europe agenda, employment policy and the social agenda

3. Lessons learned from previous refugee movements?
No comparability due to the speed and the number of people arriving leading to uncertainty among the local population
Difference e.g. to Balkan war in the beginning of the 90s:
Friends or family already lived in Austria
Qualifications were of immediate value to Austrian companies
Women were fully participating in the labour market

4. Recommendations I
Registration procedure should allow a first indication if the asylum procedure is to be successful
If yes, language training containing also basic value and cultural training should start asap.
Refugee children should attend schools with local children and get additional support to learn the language
Minors who are due to their age not allowed to attend schools need adequate offers for training
Early identification and classification of certificates, skills and qualifications are essential

5. Recommendations II
Fair, transparent and reasonable regulations to grant labour market access for asylum seekers
Information about functioning of the labour market, professional training opportunities and jobs
Public employment service: integration contract to fix additional qualifications
Equal treatment on the labour market
Refugee buddies take care of refugees
Financing (FTT, special support for MS of first arrival, and MS which host more refugees than foreseen, additional funds in AMIF, ESF and RDF)

6. Fact finding missions to 11 Member States
December 2015 – January 2016
Austria, Sweden, Greece, Hungary, Germany, Croatia, Slovenia, Italy, Malta, Poland, Bulgaria
Meetings with 183 stakeholders in total, mainly from civil society organisations

7. Recommendations on integration from missions
Asylum seekers need up-to-date information about their rights and obligations on their arrival and in a language they understand. Provide appropriate psychological assistance.
Take account of the concerns of the local population. Any hate speech, misinformation about refugees and xeno- phobic discourse must be firmly counteracted. Refugees should be seen not as a threat but as an opportunity for Europe's economic and social model.
Role of media

8. Recommendations II on integration from missions
Implement strong economic policies in order to stimulate growth and job creation for all. Assistance for refugees and their integration is an economic stimulus in itself. Growth and jobs help counter hostility against refugees.
Integration policies, covering skills screening and recognition, education and training, including civic education and language courses, need to be applied as soon as possible if a positive outcome of the asylum procedure is to be expected. Labour market participation should be fostered in cooperation with the social partners.

9. Integration is a must for our societies
Thank you!
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