Page 18 of 46 rights activists due to their involvement in assisting migrant groups. Freedom of Movement: Migrants and asylum seekers arriving on one of the country’s islands were subject to special border reception and registration procedures, under which they were required to remain in registration centers for up to 25 days before receiving permission to enter and exit using biometric identity cards. Asylum seekers were not permitted to depart the island on which they arrived until the conclusion of the asylum review procedure. Employment: There were no reports of government-imposed restrictions on refugees’ ability to work. Asylum seekers were allowed to work following a six-month waiting period after registering. International and local organizations said refugees and asylum seekers faced bureaucratic obstacles impeding access to the labor market, including lack of social security numbers and tax numbers, and difficulty opening bank accounts. The government cooperated with UNHCR, IOM, and NGOs on projects to foster integration of refugees, with emphasis on Greek language and employability skills programs. These programs generally covered only a portion of potential beneficiaries’ needs, according to aid groups. Access to Basic Services: The law provided refugees access to services equal to those provided to nationals of the country. Bureaucratic hurdles nonetheless complicated refugees’ access to welfare allowances. For example, a refugee could not successfully claim a single-mother allowance Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2023 United States Department of State • Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor