Smaller allowance for asylum seekers

(CS) The council of ministers decided last week to cut the allowance of asylum seekers to 7.50 euros per day, with the possibility to earn more when taking on duties in their accommodation.

This measure will affect asylum seekers who do not receive free meals, and will have to provide their own food with the allowance.

Serge Kollwelter of the "Association de soutien aux travailleurs immigrés" (Asti) has said he was shocked by the measure. Indicating that it might be a way to appease xenophobic tendencies within the country, Kollwelter said it was “worrying” for politics to move on such a level.

In recent weeks, racist and xenophobic comments from Luxembourgers on various Facebook groups has caused a stir.

However, it will be possible for asylum seekers to earn additional income by taking on community service duties within their accommodation, an ill-conceived measure as Kollwelter finds.

He says that the immigration ministry, the integration office (Olai) and the homes for asylum seekers did not possess sufficient resources to plan and coordinate the tasks.