Parliament votes to cut benefits for migrants

Budapest, May 10 (MTI) – Lawmakers on Tuesday passed a package of amendments that will reduce social benefits for migrants, making them eligible for only some types of benefits that Hungarian citizens are entitled to.

The amendment restricts migrants’ stay in reception centres to just one month, from the current two.

Further, the new law makes it legal to detain migrants who may later be sent back to other countries from Hungary under the Dublin III rules.

Lawmakers also tightened the rules for applying for a residence permit as a significant number of citizens from developing countries had been found to be abusing the application system in a way that later prevents authorities from expelling them.

Parliament also voted to make it easier for the state to issue residence permits “out of national economic interests”.

The package was approved with 113 votes in favour, 40 against and 21 abstentions.

Photo: MTI

Source: http://mtva.hu/hu/hungary-matters