Asylum seekers who have not been granted a final residency permit but cannot be returned to their home country, should receive a work permit in Norway, Unio believes.
Unio, which is Norway’s largest main organisation for university and college employees, writes in a statement that the current scheme can lead to health damage in the long-term asylum seekers, and that work permits can lead to a better everyday life.
– Very unfortunate
– Work provides income and the opportunity to support themselves. Work contributes to meaning in everyday life and community life. Work is health-promoting. It is therefore very unfortunate that today’s legislation excludes a group of people of working age from the labour market, the statement says.
Many of the non-returnable asylum seekers can live for several years at asylum centers with only a small monthly financial sum for support for necessities, and only the right to emergency health care.
Sentenced for hiring asylum seekers
In October, company manager Arne Viste was sentenced to one year suspended prison in Oslo District Court for hiring asylum seekers without legal right to remain in Norway. He has long tempted prosecution because he wants the court to reduce the uncertainty around what is legal and what is not legal when it comes to providing assistance to asylum seekers without legal rightful residency.
The Sola man has appealed the verdict.
Former Oslo Bishop Gunnar Stålsett must also appear in the District Court in a similar case. Bishop Stålsett told in an interview with Vårt Land this summer that he has employed a non-returnable asylum seeker for several years. He says that he acted out of Christian values and that he is prepared to take his punishment.
© NTB Scanpix / #Norway Today
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