Peter Rodrigues in NRC on treatment of Ukrainian and other refugees
Ukrainian refugees are being allowed to work in the Netherlands straight away. So Why do other refugees sometimes have to wait years before they can work?
Professor of Immigration Law Peter Rodrigues is conducting research into discrimination and equal treatment and discusses this issue in Dutch newspaper NRC. The unequal treatment of Ukrainians compared to refugees from other war zones is ‘evident’ he says. But he would not qualify it as unlawful or discriminatory. ‘There may be justifications for unequal treatment.'
In this case, the justification comes from European solidarity, says Rodrigues. ‘The war in Ukraine affects Member States of the European Union. For example, more than two million people have fled to Poland. Solidarity is a core value of the EU, other Member States are obliged to offer help together.'