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. Refugees from Ukraine are endowed with the right to accommodation and other entitlements, such as income support , access to the labour market and admission to education from pre-school to university level. 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

The Government Decree guarantees urgent health care services, help for chronic illness and urgent specialist examinations to Ukrainian refugees. Children and adolescents have the right to equal treatment as other Slovenian habitants. A refugee can access health services by showing their card of temporary protection. They can contact the emergency doctor in their local health centres or emergency first aid services. Upon the request submitted by the person with temporary protection, the health commission may approve more health services in the justified case or, when it is urgent, even without a request.

The Government Office for the Support and Integration of Migrants covers costs for health care services.

Some health care workers among Ukraine refugees could be included in the Slovenian health system but their education and qualifications must be checked. They must also prove their knowledge of the Slovenian language at level C1 (expert level).

Use of measure

Apart from some exceptions, refugees are only entitled to emergency health insurance. Their experiences vary depending on the local health centre. When they need more health services, they must apply to a health commission if they can get doctor's recommendation. This process can be lengthy and it can seem like the administration is discouraging people from receiving comprehensive medical care. General problems in the public health system (long waiting periods for medical exams) make it even more difficult for refugees to access a doctor. An additional problem is that refugees do not know what rights they have and whom they can ask for help. The Government Office has put efforts into the distribution of information about the availability of health care services among Ukraine refugees.

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 Ukrainian refugees. 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 Ukrainian 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)
• 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)