with the development of a new action plan against racism, given that the previous one, which started in 2020, ended in 2023.1054 Their last meeting was held on 20 February 2025.1055 C. Employment and education 1. Access to the labour market Indicators: Access to the Labour Market 1. Does the law allow for access to the labour market for asylum applicants? ❖ If yes, when do asylum applicants have access the labour market? 60 days from the lodging of the asylum application Yes No 2. Does the law allow access to employment only following a labour market test? Yes 3. Does the law only allow asylum applicants to work in specific sectors? ❖ If yes, specify which sectors: No Yes 4. Does the law limit asylum applicants’ employment to a maximum working time? ❖ If yes, specify the number of days per year 5. Are there restrictions to accessing employment in practice? Yes Yes No No No Legislative framework Access to the labour market is the means for applicants and beneficiaries of international protection to integrate into the host society, regain their autonomy and self-esteem and feel empowered. Article 57 of the Asylum Code, as amended by L. 5078/2023 (Article 192), provides that applicants have a right to access the labour market within sixty (60) days of the lodging of their application and the receipt of the relevant legal documents, as long as no first instance decision has been taken by the Asylum Service, and the delay cannot be attributed to the applicant. 1056 This amendment, minimising waiting time to access Greek labour market from 6 months to 2 months, comes at a time of significant shortages in Greece’s labour market and was part of new legislation that also introduced the possibility of undocumented third country nationals to regularise their status, inter alia subject to being able to present a job offer. The amendment has been welcomed by UN Agencies as a step forward, with the potential for bringing positive results for both third country nationals and locals. As noted by the Representative of UNHCR in Greece:1057 These measures are a step in the right direction. They respond in a pragmatic manner to workforce needs in Greece’s productive sectors that remain unfulfilled and promptly puts asylumapplicants on the path to self-reliance and inclusion, which in the end will yield significant socioeconomic returns for all […] The amendment is a positive example of political will to dismantle barriers that render people invisible and marginalised, contributing to the broader prosperity of the Greek economy and society. As long as they hold a valid asylum applicant card, Article 57(2) Asylum Code provides them access to paid employment or the provision of services or work throughout the period of validity of the card. Applicants are also under an obligation to inform the competent reception authority of any professional activity they engage in (commencement of a profession, contract of employment), and submit relevant 1054 1055 1056 1057 Ministry for Social Cohesion & Family, 26 June 2024, available in Greek here. Press Release, The National Council against Racism and Intolerance 20/02/2025. (available in greek ) https://tinyurl.com/4zr5c6z2 Article 57(1) Asylum Code, as amended by Article 192 L. 5078/2023. UNHCR & IOM, UNHCR and IOM welcome new amendment facilitating access to labour for migrants and asylum-seekers, 19 December 2023, available at: https://tinyurl.com/39m8xwtk. 218