Background information

Following the outbreak of war in Ukraine and a massive exodus of population, the temporary protection for persons displaced from Ukraine was activated by adopting the government decision on 9 March 2022 ( Decision establishing temporary protection for persons displaced from Ukraine ). The further Decree on the methods for ensuring the rights of persons enjoying temporary protection (24 March 2022) determined the rights of persons with temporary protection and applicants for temporary protection.

Apart from other entitlements, Ukrainian refugees were endowed with the right to income support. The Government Office for the Support and Integration of Migrants made the information on measures available through printed and online brochures, a website and a free call number.

The measure is limited to one year with two further possible extensions of six months.

Content of measure

According to the Government Decree from 24 March 2022, refugees from Ukraine are entitled to income support.

People in accommodation centres, where food is provided, receive €120 a month. Those living with relatives or in private apartments have the right to income support under the condition that they have no income of their own. An adult (or an unaccompanied minor) obtains the maximum income support of €421 a month. This is the equivalent of the so-called minimum income in Slovenia. It is increased by 70% for the second family adult and 30% for a child below the age of 18. Moreover, minors who are staying in Slovenia with only one parent receive 30% more support. For instance, an adult with two children obtains €928 a month of income support.

Other humanitarian measures include the right to family reunion, free legal help and information on the rights and duties. Ukraine refugees are allowed to enrol in integration programmes which includes education on the Slovene language. The government website offers information in Slovenian and Ukrainian languages. The Government Office for the Support and Integration of Migrants assists refugees in administrative procedures.

Use of measure

As of 6 May 2022, about 500 Ukraine refugees were in accommodation centres. The rest of the refugees were staying with relatives, friends or in rented private apartments. So far, about 6,000 Ukrainian citizens have applied for temporary protection, and 2,396 procedures have resulted in recognised status. The police reported the registration of 5,728 Ukraine citizens. According to The Government Office for the Support and Integration of Migrants, this number is lower than the number of applications because some have already returned to Ukraine or moved to other European countries.

The Government Office for the Support and Integration of Migrants (UOIM) reported that 6.765 Ukraine refugees (or 83% of registered refugees with temporary protection) receive income support (date from February 2023). The percentage is even higher as each support may cover more family members. If we take into account that refugees accommodated in state housing (7%) get pocket money, and the assistance received (83% coverage) may include several family members, then well over 90% of refugees receive income support

Target groups

Workers	Businesses	Citizens
Does not apply to workers	Does not apply to businesses	Migrants or refugees

Actors and funding

Actors	Funding
National government	European Funds National funds

Social partners

Social partners' role in designing the measure and form of involvement:

	Trade unions	Employers' organisations
Role	No involvement as case not in social partner domain	No involvement as case not in social partner domain
Form	Not applicable	Not applicable

Social partners' role in the implementation, monitoring and assessment phase:

• No involvement
• Main level of involvement: N/A

Involvement

The measure was adopted without prior consultation with social partners.

Views and reactions

In press releases, social partners expressed their solidarity with refugees from Ukraine. On the other hand, the media raise the question of unequal treatment of refugees on the ground of their origin. They asked why the ‘decent treatment’ of Ukraine refugees is not applied to all. In their letter, asylum seekers stressed double standards when Ukraine citizens and when other refugees are concerned. The state provided new beds and better food for Ukraine refugees in accommodation centers. They, moreover, are allowed to stay in private accommodations, have immediate access to work and receive income support, the privileges asylum seekers can only dream of. Asylum seekers thus demanded equal treatment, the right to work and access to the social system, the right to free movement, access to decent health care, decent housing in asylum centers and legal assistance to which they have otherwise the lawful right.

Sources

• 09 March 2022: Decision establishing temporary protection for persons displaced from Ukraine (Sklep o uvedbi začasne zaščite za razseljene osebe iz Ukrajine (pisrs.si)
• 23 March 2022: Offers from all over Slovenia of accommodation for 600 refugees (www.delo.si)
• 24 March 2022: Employers already seek workers among Ukraine refugees (www.delo.si)
• 25 March 2022: Decree on the methods for ensuring rights of persons enjoying temporary protection (Uredba o načinu zagotavljanja pravic osebam z začasno zaščito (pisrs.si)
• 08 April 2022: Asylum seekers point to double standard (www.dnevnik.si)
• 07 May 2022: Many refugees do not know what rights they have (www.delo.si)
• 02 November 2022: Ministry of the Interior, Press Releas (www.gov.si)