The Federal Parliament has adopted a bill that will see working asylum seekers contributing financially to their reception costs.
State Secretary for Asylum and Migration Nicole De Moor (CD&V) spearheaded the controversial bill, which has been opposed both legally and politically since it was first proposed in 2011. Nevertheless, it was adopted by a majority on Wednesday, with the Belgian Worker's Party (PTB) voting against and N-VA and Vlaams Belang abstaining.
Working asylum seekers will now pay a contribution to their reception costs based on their income. They will be required to declare their income to the reception centre where they reside and the sum will be paid directly to federal reception agency Fedasil. Failure to do so will result in a higher contribution, or in extreme cases a reduction of services or exclusion from the centre.
A Royal Decree, due to be published soon, will relay further details. "Everything is ready," said De Moor in reference to a collaboration with the Crossroads Bank for Enterprises.
