Brando Benifei MEP

This week’s European Parliament Plenary Session featured a debate and vote on the report “Refugees: Social inclusion and integration into the labour market” by rapporteur Brando Benifei, with the debate taking place Monday evening and the vote on Tuesday.

The European Movement International supports this report, which touches upon the key issues that are necessary for the succesful integration of those arriving in Europe. In particular, the European Movement International supports key paragraphs in the report that will have a great impact on facilitating social inclusion:

• §26 on financial support for local authorities and civil society organisations that facilitate the integration of refugees in society and the labour market.
• §31 on increasing European Social Fund (ESF) allocations by introducing a minimum share of 25% of the cohesion poilicy budget for the ESF in the revision of the MFF.
• §45 on the revision of the Reception Conditions Directive with regard to access to the labour market as soon as possible, but no later than six months from the date when the application was lodged.
• §54 supporting the revision of the Blue Card Directive.

In its Policy Position on Migration, the European Movement International explicitly supports these and other measures to ensure the succesful integration of those arriving in Europe, with full respect for the rights of refugees and asylum seekers and supporting the fair sharing of responsibility in the EU.