Asylum seekers with paid jobs in Belgium required to pay accommodation fees

By Melike Pala

ANKARA (AA) – Asylum seekers with paid jobs in Belgium will now be required to pay fees if they continue to stay in reception centers.

According to a report by Belgium's official agency Belga, based on information from the office of State Secretary for Asylum and Migration Nicole de Moor, asylum seekers who have employment will now be responsible for contributing to their accommodation costs in the country's reception centers.

The amount each asylum seeker will be required to pay is based on their monthly income.

For instance, an asylum seeker earning a net monthly income of €900 will have to pay approximately €220 to the reception center.

Those earning more than €1500 per month will be required to pay 50% of their salary towards their accommodation.

Failure to report income to the reception center could result in asylum seekers facing higher accommodation fees.

Additionally, if an asylum seeker refuses to pay the determined fees, the reception center may limit the services provided to them or, in some cases, evict the individual.

The decision, which affects an estimated 10,000 employed asylum seekers in Belgium, came into effect on July 1.

This measure was originally established by a Royal decree in 2011 but had faced various political and legal obstacles until now.