Source: CNA
Asylum seekers will hand in their registration applications at the Pournara Temporary Reception Center starting Tuesday, Deputy Minister of Social Welfare, Anastasia Anthousi, said on Monday. The announcement was made in an attempt to alleviate the workload at the Social Services Office in Lakatamia where most asylum seekers first submit their applications.
She said that additional personnel will be placed at Pournara to accommodate the applicants, adding that when many of them visit the Lakatamia Office, their applications are usually incomplete and by having them register at Pournara, their waiting time will be reduced.
Moreover, Anthousi said that most applicants do not need to visit the Lakatamia office, adding that documents relating to their asylum application can be sent online to the Department of Labor.
With regards to the issue of bogus addresses listed by those who are being released from the Pournara Center, Anthousi said that in many cases when documents are requested, ie for rental purposes, no houses exist at the addresses listed on the forms.
The Deputy Minister said that an investigation will be carried out in an attempt to resolve this issue.
