“The first residence permit was granted to an immigrant who has worked in our country for three years. Over 5,000 applications have been submitted on the online platform.” This was informed by the Minister of Immigration and Asylum, Dimitris Kairides, during the discussion of a topical question by KKE MP Christos Katsotis “about immigrant workers in call centers”.

The minister said that “for three weeks now, the electronic platform has been operating that provides the possibility of a residence permit to work for those who entered Greece illegally, but who live and have proven to have worked in the country for three years. 5,000 applications have been submitted and the first residence permit has already been issued for an immigrant who has been in our country for more than three years, has a job offer, a clean criminal record and complete all the other criteria stipulated by the Law”.

Mr. Kairides said that now this immigrant “receives a residence permit so that he can work legally and not “undercover”. To pay taxes and contributions. To have all health and insurance rights” noting that this is how “we bring order to the labor market and internally. With terms and conditions. With complete safety for society and all the workers and legal immigrants we have in our country”.

The minister, regarding the working conditions for immigrant workers “in call centers”, stated that “we have committed to them and to the companies to restore the old regime, which the new Code of 2023 of the simplification and homogenization of the many licenses provided these workers with the special purpose permit outside the general regulation of residence permits for workers through transfer. As they were privileged leaves since it provides the employee with the possibility of family reunification, it is not included in the restrictions on the volume of transfers that exist and provided them with full insurance and health benefits”. “This”, said Mr. Kairides, “will be done immediately in March before the start of implementation of the new Code which is in April” and he added “that the government’s intention in this matter is clear”.

Regarding the “blue” work card, the minister said that “this is an initiative that all conditions for its granting are determined by the EU itself with Directives. And indeed, there is the income criterion in these Guidelines and the reason is to protect national workers. That is, it should concern specialized staff only when the employer has exhausted all opportunities for employment of nationals and thus the exceptional permit is granted to him”. The “opening” of the “blue” Card, Mr. Kairidis said, cannot be done as the conditions are defined by the EU and it would not be in the interest of Greek workers.