Among the questions posed by Kartheiser included how many people living in the structures provided for refugees had already been granted “status”, how the state was helping when it came to the housing and the job market, whether such individuals were paying rent, and what happened in the case they were not.

Responding to Kartheiser’s questions, Asselborn stated that 2,973 people were living in the structures managed by OLAI (Luxembourg office of welcome and integration) as of 15 April 2019, with 48% of those having been granted international protection status. Among the ways the state has helped such individuals has been to make courses and seminars available on topics, including on the local housing and job markets.

Asselborn added in his response that those with refugee status in the grand duchy can, provided they fulfill the necessary criteria, receive social inclusion income (Revis, which is designed for those in the lowest income brackets). 

As part of the plan through Revis, applicants who are eligible to work and are under age 65 are profiled by the Luxembourg employment agency, Adem, with efforts to get them “into the labour market as quickly as possible.”

Kartheiser also asked whether such individuals living within the structures pay rent if they have an income, as well as what would happen to those not paying their rent. 

Asselborn replied these individuals do indeed have a stake in these costs, referring to a former parliamentary question response from 10 January 2019 in which it is explained that the monthly average allowance is between € 450 and 650, with allowance calculated based on household composition (with child money included), as well as the income of the individual. 

“In the event that people do not or only irregularly pay their share, OLAI is searching for a solution that will justify the social situation of those affected,” Asselborn stated in the response. These individuals do, however, have the opportunity to pay back the debts at a lower amount than originally anticipated.