RRTF: Report July 1997
Annex 6
Incentive schemes
Additional Information
July 1997
- Austria The incentive schemes have recently changed. The L”nder support for return varies between ATS 4,500 (US$ 375) and ATS 7,500 (US$ 625) per person, depending on the Land.
- Germany The assistance available to voluntary repatriates is as follows: Under the REAG (“Return and Emigration of Asylum-Seekers from Germany”) scheme, which is funded by the Federal and State governments and implemented by IOM, returnees are entitled to receive a bus, rail or air ticket to their destination in Bosnia and Herzegovina or a lump sum up to 300 DM for petrol costs, pocket money of 150 DM per adult and 75 per child under 12, up to a maximum of 750 DM per family, and a luggage allowance of 150 DM per adult, 75 DM per child under 12, up to a maximum of 750 DM per family. Under the GARP (“Government Assisted Return Programme”) scheme, voluntary repatriates may receive cash integration grant of 450 DM per adult and 225 DM per child under 12, up to a maximum of 1,350 DM per family. In addition, at least in three states (Northrhine-Westphalia, Berlin and Hamburg) a supplementary cash grant of 200 DM per adult (75 DM per child under 12) is paid. Both the GARP amount and the supplementary cash grant are paid by IOM after arrival in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Furthermore, in other Federal states some municipalities grant destitute returnees one to three months social welfare in advance which might amount to a sum up to 1,000 DM per adult and 750 DM per child.
An additional incentive has been introduced by three states, so far (Bavaria, Hessen and Northrhine-Westphalia). This entails allowing one member of a returnee family to remain (or re-enter) Germany for the purpose of continuing wage-earning employment for a period of up to six months to support the family members who have returned.
- Switzerland Switzerland adopted a voluntary repatriation project which has enabled more than 3,200 refugees to return voluntarily to Bosnia and Herzegovina. The details of the programme have not changed but have been adapted regarding those refugees that have been asked to leave Switzerland by 30 April 1997 or have been given a specific date: if the repatriates leave after the date prescribed by the Swiss authorities, they will only receive one third of the financial repatriation grant. This rule added to the requirement to leave Switzerland by a specific date has lead numerous returnees to relocate in Bosnia and Herzegovina without having a secure and definitive place to live in their home country.
- United Kingdom The UK Government has only agreed to assist the return costs of individuals who have temporary protection status. Through IOM, the government will pay for return by air (single direct fare) or provide an opportunity to return by road with the organisation Edinburgh Direct Aid that allows up to two tons of household belongings per family. In addition, the UK Government also provides a small grant prior to travel which amounts to £30.00 (US$ 50.00) per adult or £ 15.00 (US$ 25.00) per child. Again, this grant is only available to individuals with temporary protection status.
- Ireland The Irish Government will pay single direct airfares to Bosnia and Herzegovina and provide a grant of Ir£ 300 (US$ 500) to individuals returning.
- General reconstruction assistance not linked to repatriation.
- Only paid in case of individually organised movements. For organised repatriation movements, IOM/UNHCR supply pocket money and the authorities pay travel costs.
- Amounts vary from support for the first period of stay after return to life-long support (e.g. pensions for disabled persons).
- For the group of refugees with permanent status (this status is lost on receipt of the grant) and on needs basis.
- For the group of refugees with temporary protection status and on needs basis (approx. 5,000 people mostly with dual B&H/Croatian citizenship).
- Additional L”nder incentive packages in Bavaria, Hessen and Northrhine-Westphalia – allowing one family member to remain in the Federal state for the purpose of continuing wage-earning employment for a period of up to six months.
- Swiss project – if refugees who have been asked to leave Switzerland by a specific date would leave after the delay given by the Swiss authorities, they will receive only one third of the financial repatriation grant.