UNHCR released comments on the Reception Conditions Directive (recast)

Asylum seekers waiting for a decision on their application in the European Union must be provided with certain necessities that guarantee them a dignified standard of living according to the EU Reception Conditions Directive that set minimum standards that Member States should respect.

In the past (and present), diverging practices among Member States however led to an inadequate level of material reception conditions for asylum seekers. The Reception Conditions Directive establishes for this reason- and in order to create a level playing field within the EU- common standards of conditions of living of asylum applicants. The previous version of the Directive is still valid until 21 July 2015 when a new one (recast) becomes applicable. It ensures (in legal theory at least) that applicants should have access to housing, food, health care and employment, as well as medical and psychological care.

Article 15 of the Reception Conditions Directive (recast) grants the right to work to asylum seekers but allows for the restriction of this right by EU Member States (who remain free to adopt more favourable standards nevertheless as the Directive only sets minimum standards). EU Member States must transpose the disposals contained in the Reception Conditions Directive (recast) within their legal order by July 2015.

Article 15 of the Reception Conditions Directive (recast) states that: 

A selected bibliography (with hyperlinks) on the right to work of asylum seekers by Julien BLANC

We would like to provide you with the following (non extensive) bibliography on the right to work of asylum seekers and refugees. The following themes are covered: 

- National campaigns/ situation in Cyprus, Germany, France & Ireland.

- Obstacles and discrimination experienced by asylum seekers to access the labour market, 

- ECRE Recommendations and papers on the right to work 

- Researches to "deconstruct the pull factor theory" and research findings on the right to work  as a factor influencing secondary movement

- Researches on the human and financial cost of denying the right to work, on exploitation

- Research and position papers of trade unions and local administration on the topic

- Research, case law and norms relevant (Universal, regional,in the EU, the UK or South Africa)

This bibliography will usefully be completed by consulting the SRLAN webpage on the economic, cultural and social rights of refugees.