Ferreira first addressed the so-called European migrant crisis, which he believes to have at times been described as though the continent was about to be overrun. However, the actual rate of people looking for protection is not that high in comparison to the population, he underlined.
When asked about the situation of refugees in Luxembourg, Ferreira explained that there are not enough spots available in the national centres. Those with a recognised refugee status in return often struggle to move out, because they cannot find employment nor housing.
According to data from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the level of refugee integration into the Luxembourgish job market is relatively low. ASTI therefore demands that improvements be made to language classes and the way that Luxembourgish is used in everyday situations. Not only refugees, but foreigners in general struggle to apply the language when learning it.
Ferreira also spoke about the implications of the pandemic, which often interrupt the important personal meetings between migrants and those providing them with assistance. When asked about the government’s communication of information on new measures in different languages, the ASTI spokesperson acknowledged that it has significantly improved.
Ferreira was also asked about a recent case in which a Brazilian woman may face expulsion after filing a complaint against her employer. He conveyed that the woman has in the meantime received her residence permit, which was possible due to the fact that she was exploited at work.
Nevertheless, Ferreira believes the case to have shown important flaws in the system. When the woman had the courage to go to the police to denounce her employer for exploitation and sexual harassment, the first thing officers did was to seize her passport. ASTI is therefore working on an amendment together with the Ministry of Immigration and Asylum to prevent this from happening again in the future.
