Greece’s parliament has recently approved new legislation aimed at securing residence and work permits for a significant number of undocumented migrants, addressing an urgent need for unskilled labour in the country.
The legislation, drawn up by the centre-right government, establishes a link between the right of residence and verified employment status. Approximately 30,000 individuals, mostly agricultural workers, are expected to be affected by this measure.
As InfoMigrants reports, it also benefits to a significant number of migrants from Albania, Georgia, and the Philippines. It grants a three-year residency exclusively tied to existing job offers. This move aims to enhance rights, encourage tax compliance, and protect workers from exploitation by establishing legal status. The enactment expects to create a positive impact on working conditions, fostering a fairer and more regulated employment landscape.
The recent legislation garnering praise from the United Nations migration and refugee agencies applies to migrants residing in Greece without permits for at least three years until the end of November. As a result, it excludes those who arrived later.
Previously, despite ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, the Greek government reported a 33 per cent decrease in the flow of undocumented migrants in November compared to October. According to the data from the Greek Migration Ministry, illegal arrivals numbered 4,584 in November, down from 6,863 in October, marking a 40 per cent drop from September.
Located in the southeastern corner of the European Union along the Mediterranean Sea, Greece remains a key entry point for individuals aspiring to improve their lives within the EU. Many make the journey on small boats from neighbouring Turkey to Greece’s eastern Aegean islands.
While there has been a significant reduction in arrivals from a peak of nearly one million in 2015, this year, 45,000 people arrived in Greece, the highest in four years. Although many individuals have been granted legal residency as refugees, some choose to remain in the country illegally for long periods, blending into the informal economy.
Based on United Nations Higher Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) data updated on December 17, 45,995 migrants have arrived in Greece since the beginning of the year. Over 39,000 arrived by sea, while more than 6,000 crossed the land border with Turkey.
Although arrivals in 2023 have exceeded the figures recorded every year since 2020, they are less than the figures reached in 2019 (over 74,000) or the peak years of 2015 and 2016 when over a million people passed through Greece during that period.
