Download the statement in Greek here.
ELA joint the signatories of this letter to call on the government to take all the necessary actions so that the beneficiaries of international protection can exercise the social rights to which they are legally entitled under the same conditions as Greek citizens and are not excluded from the right to health and social assistance.
ELA signed a joint letter addressing key concerns with the treatment for international protection beneficiaries under the new AMKA system (Greek social security system).
Following the implementation of their latest circular, the Ministry of Labour and Social Security is now requiring additional documents in order to activate social security identification number of people. This change is leading to the exclusion of vulnerable groups from essential social and health services.
- Unfair Proof Requirements: New AMKA activation rules demand proof of residence and employment for international protection beneficiaries—while Greek citizens and EU nationals only need to provide one or the other.
- Impact on Vulnerable Groups: Disabled beneficiaries face obstacles in accessing disability allowances because proving their disability requires an examination by the Disability Certification Center (KEPA), which in turn requires having an AMKA.
- Administrative Inconsistencies: Some services improperly ask additional documents, such as passports or marital status certificates, which international protection beneficiaries should be exempt from providing, as most of them cannot have access to.
- Automatic Deactivation Issue: Automatic deactivation of AMKA when a residence permit expires fails to consider the frequent administrative delays in renewing these permits. This can lead to interruptions in essential rights and services, such as healthcare and social benefits, for international protection beneficiaries.
- Unaccompanied Minors: The current framework fails to ensure healthcare access for minors without a legal residence permit, violating the principle of the best interest of the child.
This disproportionate measure contradicts both the Geneva Convention and EU directives, risking the exclusion of refugees from the healthcare system.
By addressing these critical issues, we aim to align AMKA procedures with both national and international legal standards, ensuring equal access to social rights and healthcare for all. In particular, the signatories request as follows:
– Remove the additional proof of work requirement for AMKA activation for international protection beneficiaries ;
– Implement special protection measures for vulnerable individuals to ensure access to health and social benefits ;
– Safeguard the best interests of children by ensuring unhindered access to the health system for all minors.
Signatories
- Arsis
- Medecins sans frontieres
- Ελληνικό Συμβούλιο για τους Πρόσφυγες (ΕΣΠ)
- Δίκτυο για τα Δικαιώματα του Παιδιού (ΔΔΠ)
- ΔΙΟΤΙΜΑ – Κέντρο για τα Έμφυλα Δικαιώματα και την Ισότητα
- Θετική Φωνή – Σύλλογος Οροθετικών Ελλάδος
- ΜΕΤΑδραση – Δράση για τη Μετανάστευση και την Ανάπτυξη
- Υποστήριξη Προσφύγων στο Αιγαίο (RSA)
- ECHO100PLUS
- Equal Legal Aid
- Εqual Rights Beyond Borders
- European Lawyers in Lesvos
- Fenix – Humanitarian Legal Aid
- HIAS Ελλάδας
- International Rescue Committee (IRC) Hellas
- Mobile Info Team
- PRAKSIS
- Refugee Legal Support (RLS)
- Safe Passage International AMKE
- SolidarityNow
- The HOME Project
- Velos Youth
