Greece approves new law granting undocumented migrants residence rights, provided they have a job
ABC News
Greece’s parliament has overwhelmingly approved new legislation that will grant tens of thousands of undocumented migrants residence and work permits amid a shortage of unskilled labor
ATHENS, Greece -- Greece's parliament on Tuesday overwhelmingly approved new legislation that will grant tens of thousands of undocumented migrants residence and work permits amid a shortage of unskilled labor.
The law drafted by the center-right government links the right to residence with proof of employment. According to the labor ministry, it will affect some 30,000 people, many of them agricultural laborers.
The United Nations migration and refugee agencies praised the new law, which applies to migrants who have been living in Greece without residence permits for at least three years up to the end of November. It will not cover later arrivals.
Lawmakers in the 300-member parliament voted 262 in favor of the law — despite grumbling from the governing New Democracy's right wing and with the backing of leftwing opposition parties.
New Democracy had threatened to expel any of its lawmakers who didn't back the measures — making a single exception for a former prime minister who had strongly criticized the bill.
