Filenews 21 July 2022 - by Michalis Hadjivassilis
The Deputy Ministry of Welfare has proceeded, after a thorough check, to cut off the benefits from 3,000 asylum seekers after it was found that they were working - legally or even illegally.
As deputy minister Anastasia Anthousi told "F", the cheques of 100 to 150 asylum seekers are suspended almost daily, because it is found after a check that they work either illegally or legally and are also cut off social insurance. From last October until today, the cheques for 3,000 applicants have been cut off, while as Mrs. Anthousi revealed, an opinion was requested on whether the money given to applicants as benefits while working can be recovered.
According to the opinion, this could be done by withholding other amounts deposited in the form of an allowance in the account of these persons, as compensation.
In the meantime, an ambitious plan to limit the arrival of immigrants by exploiting the benefits is being worked out by the Deputy Ministry of Welfare in cooperation with the Central Bank, commercial banks, etc. That is why, he added, we are working on a plan where asylum seekers will be issued with a special credit card (visa) on which their benefits will be transferred. With this visa, only 20% of the amount they have will be entitled to make cash withdrawals, while it will be forbidden to use the card to buy alcohol or to transport cash to their country.
Now, as the Deputy Minister mentioned, immigrants were going to a post office or other office and sending money to their country from what the state gives them as an allowance to live in Cyprus. The special visa will stop the cheques sent to asylum seekers, many of which were lost, while the benefits will be better controlled. At the moment, 6,500 to 7000 asylum seekers are receiving benefits.
In the meantime, due to the better and rational management of benefits since the establishment of the Deputy Ministry of Welfare, for the first time no additional funds will be requested to cover emergencies. On the contrary, there will be a surplus which will be used for vulnerable families, for child support, etc.
