KOMPASSET independent guidance for homeless migrants. Worsaaesvej 15B, kld.th Frederiksberg, tel /

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Bennett Nathan Mills
5 years ago
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1 Kompasset 2015 Kompasset Kirkens Korshær has been counselling homeless migrants without registration in Denmark for three years now. Kompasset is open to clients three times a week and the need has not decreased. The goal is to provide proper advice and sound information in different languages and help navigate within the Danish system. Kompasset is run by three full-time employees and approximately 25 volunteer, multi-lingual counselors. More than 15 different languages are spoken in Kompasset. The assistance consist of: Advice and counselling on all subjects relevant to the homeless migrants Job search and CVs Building cooperation bridges between the NGO and authorities Complaints re. violation of rights (employers and police) Referrals to relevant partners and authorities Accompaniment (to authorities, bank etc.) Motivational talks Computer/internet/printing facilities Locker storage/postal address service/coffee & tea The main problem for most of Kompasset s advice-seekers is the search for a better life: a job and housing. Several are also haunted by substance abuse and/or mental health issues. The year 2015 has serviced 399 new users (489 new users in 2014), though the number can be higher than that. When asking for the user s consent to be registered in Kompasset s database, they can either choose to be registered as Anonymous or with their first name, age, nationality and residence permit (if applicable), gender and languages spoken. Anonymous is a general client file, under which journals are written, each time the client chooses to be anonymous. Therefore, under Anonymous journal can refer to new clients or to old clients and the only viable data that can be extracted is with regards to the number of journals/inquiries that have been made within the year In total, 247 inquiries were made and registered under the general client name Anonymous. It s important to note that Kompasset greeted many more than the 399 new users, since this number doesn t count the people who have visited Kompasset previously and again needed help in 2015.

2 Inquiries how many in 2015? There were 3417 inquiries in The table below shows the number of inquiries on quarterly basis. It can be observed that even though the numbers don t show a great increase, the summer months are the most intense with many of our visitors. Kirkens Korshær in general experience an increase of homeless migrants during the warmer months of the year where it s easier to sleep rough, there s more work and money to be made (black labour, contract work and picking bottles). In comparison Kompasset s first year (2013) brought 1834 inquiries, while 2014 nearly doubled the number: ,00 900,00 800,00 700,00 600,00 Number of inquiries 500,00 400, Number of inquiries 300,00 200,00 100,00 0,00 January - March April - June July - September October - December The type of inquiries made to Kompasset Often several topics have occurred in the same visit. Therefore, the total number of registered topics is greater than the total number of inquiries. Furthermore, some of the users have contacted us several times regarding the same issue. The table below provides an overview of some of the problems homeless migrants are facing in Copenhagen and below is a description of each subject and how we assist.

3 Topic of inquiry Job opportunities/rights (EU-citizens) General counseling about Denmark Help with registration in Denmark (EU-citizens) Job opportunities/rights (Non EU-citizens) Help to contact authorities Crime victim/complaints about and/or harassment by police Help with return trip Opening a bank account Help finding housing Lost ID documents Exploitation/labor violations Health Use of Kompasset s facilities (computer/lockers/mail/hang-outs) Other (e.g. children and school registration) Job opportunities/rights (EU-citizens) Most users of Kompasset s services are EU-citizens, who are in Denmark to look for work. As members of the EU, they have the right to work in Denmark without seeking further permits. The ground rule 1 is that EU citizens can freely travel (without having to fulfill visa requirements) and live in another EU country for up to 3 months without registration and for up to 6 months if the person is a job seeker. However, many employers are unwilling to hire EU-citizens, who are not yet registered in Denmark (with CPR number/yellow card). This leaves the migrants in a vicious circle where they cannot register before they have a job and they cannot get a job before they have a yellow card. In our experience this circle is one of the major reasons why migrants become and stay homeless. Some employers might also take advantage of the situation and exploit the vulnerable migrants, by e.g. making them work black or for free as an intern. In situations like this, there is little Kompasset can do, as the migrant cannot register for a tax number or bank account without a work contract and therefore we cannot do much to help him get what the employer owes him. However, if the migrant wants to file a case, we refer him to legal aid organizations, antihuman-trafficking organizations or the unions (also under category Exploitation/labour violations ). 1 According to the Free Movement of Citizens Directive 2004/38/EC

4 We also help make CVs and send job applications. Such help is given when the person doesn t know the informal rules of the job market and applying for jobs in Denmark. Here Kompasset experiences language barriers but we encourage each job-seeker to walk around and deliver a CV to possible employers personally. Sending applications online rarely result in a job but keeps the motivation and hope up. Kompasset has assisted in creating CVs 299 times in General counseling about Denmark Once on the streets, many contact Kompasset to inquire about how to survive; where to sleep, eat, shower, get clothing etc. For this purpose, Kompasset keeps an updated list of services in Copenhagen open to all destitute citizens regardless of Danish registration. Others approach us to get information re. education (few pursue this), different cultural practices and e.g. national holidays, habits etc. Help with registration in Denmark (EU-citizens), opening a bank account and help finding housing Those who get a job come to Kompasset to get help with the registration process. In principle this process should go easy, however in reality it takes months. Kompasset assists throughout this quite exhausting process. When the person has a work contract he must apply for a tax number (kildeskattenummer) which takes 3-6 weeks. Then comes the issue of opening a bank account which is necessary to get the salary. Most banks turn away new customers without a Danish address and registration. Even applying with a c/o Kompasset address doesn t help much. Waiting for tax number and bank account often leaves the working EU-migrant in the streets for at least 2-3 months. Holding on to a job without getting paid, with limited rest remaining in the rough homeless environment is extremely difficult. It entails competing for the limited resources with regard to food, shelter, shower etc. while trying to keep up a normal façade and work life. EU-residence certificate and a personal address are the next steps which in the end results in receiving a Danish cpr-number and yellow health card. The latter is the goal for many homeless migrants since most employers in Denmark require this and once you have a yellow card you are much more attractive/easy to hire. Homeless migrants encounter a number of barriers in the registration process. These barriers are not impossible to overcome, but it takes a lot of patience and hard work. Some of Kompasset s clients give up half way in frustration. In our experience, these barriers are major factors keeping migrants in homelessness.

5 Job opportunities/rights (Non-EU citizens) About 1/3 of Kompasset s clients are Non-EU citizens, most of them with citizenship from West African countries, but with residence permits from Spain or Italy. Most of them have worked in southern Europe for years, but traveled north because of the economic crisis. Due to Denmark s legal reservations regarding working rights, they cannot use their residence permits from other EU countries to work here, but must apply for Danish work and residence permit. However, with the current requirements to get these, it is out of reach for our clients. Most of them are not aware of this when they come to Denmark and Kompasset delivers the tough message. Then, in our experience, they sooner or later travel to other countries or back to southern Europe. Help to contact authorities In connection to job search, registration, lost ID etc. homeless migrants approach Kompasset to get help to contact authorities. Since they are mostly turned away on their own, we can accompany them to different institutions. So far, in 2015, our users have been accompanied 52 times. In fact, we get many inquiries about this from migrants who are not homeless or in the risk of homelessness, and thus not in Kompasset s target group, meaning that foreigners in general have difficulties approaching and communicating with the authorities (Borgerservice, International House, banks, police). Help with return trip Users also come to Kompasset to get help returning home. We collaborate with Copenhagen Homeless Unit, which, in special cases can provide financial assistance for the trip and contact authorities in the home country. Kompasset also collaborates with other private organizations to finance tickets if the homeless migrant is unable to pay himself by e.g. recycling bottles. A constant number of clients ask for help to book and purchase travel tickets, using Kompasset s credit card, and paying us in cash. Crime victim/complaints about and/or harassment by police In 2015 there was again a high number of users approaching us with complaints regarding the police: they are getting fined for sleeping rough, get their sleeping bags confiscated, EUcitizens get fines for not being able to prove that they are job-seekers and therefore residing legally (but nothing seems to be done except for the fine). Unfortunately, a new practice is to give out a fine and at the same time take the cash, without respecting the right to complain about the fine (once paid, it is accepted) nor the right to consult a lawyer about it.

6 Furthermore, several cases of harassment consist of driving the client outside of Copenhagen and leaving him in the middle of nowhere to find his way back. More serious cases include detention for several days on seemingly groundless accusations and police violence. These cases occur specially in the summer time. Kompasset is assisting in complaining, filing for compensation and referring to lawyers. Lost ID documents Many homeless migrants lose their passport or ID card when living in the streets. Either they get stolen, lost in other ways or removed together with hidden luggage by the public street cleaners. Losing the ID can have devastating consequences for the dream of finding a job and furthermore create problems when encountering the police. Compared to 2014, when we received 59 inquiries regarding lost ID documents, in 2015 we had less:_47. A reason for the decrease can be that many of the EU- citizens store their ID in a safe box in Kompasset, while they always carry a copy and a referral to contact us in case the original is needed 2. Kompasset offers storage of personal documents for those who are not obliged to carry those (EU-citizens) and copies for the rest (non EU-citizens). If they do lose their documents, we assist in contacting the police and the appropriate embassy for reissuing. Health Many homeless migrants encounter health problems and when they are not registered they only have access to emergency assistance in the public health system. For non-emergency health issues we refer migrants to the Red Cross health clinic and we also collaborate with an outreach team of psychiatric nurses. In 2015 Kompasset experienced an increasing number of health inquiries (2015: 46; 2014: 29). Use of Kompasset s facilities As shown in the table, a large number of our clients use Kompasset s facilities and don t necessarily get counseling from the staff every time they come here. They might come just to use the computers to search for jobs and keep in touch with friends and family online. They use our lockers for storage, receive mail, print CVs, have coffee and take a break from the stressful life in the streets. This category consists of many services as well as extraordinary talks such as motivational and comforting support to humans in distress. The constant rejection feeds frustration and desperation and often a break in Kompasset talking to a countryman in one s mother tongue can relieve momentarily while increasing a little extra power to face reality living in the streets of Copenhagen. 2 In accordance with the EU Directive 2004/38/EC on the right of citizens of the Union and their family members to move and reside freely within the territory of the Member States having the same rights and obligations as the Danish nationals, EU citizens are not required by law to carry an identity card.

7 Nationalities In 2015 Kompasset received 399 new users, with different EU and Non-EU nationalities. It s important to note that some of the people have double citizenship: either Ghanaian and Italian, or Spanish and Peruvian. Therefore, summing up will lead to a greater number than the total number of new visitors. Citizenship Romanian Spanish Ghanaian Nigerian Polish Italian Portuguese Moroccan 9 7 Bulgarian 8 15 Gambian 8 3 Senegalese 8 12 Rest outside of EU: Rest in EU/EEA Nationality not registered 5 10 The majority of Kompasset s users are Romanian citizens (36%) followed by Spanish citizens (8.3%), and Ghanaian with residence permits mainly from Spain or Italy (7.3%). In 2014, the third largest group was Nigerian citizens, representing 10.2 %. The percentage of Romanian citizens maintained from 35% and the Spanish citizens from 8.5% since Gender and age Gender 2015 Percentage of all users (399) Man % Woman 36 9 % Transgender person 1 Total % Age groups 2015 Percentage of all users (399) %

8 ,7% % ,8% ,5% Registered without age 4 1% Total % In 2015 it is still mostly men who come to Kompasset. We are slowly encountering a few more women and families which still don t stick out statistically though. Inquiries from women are mainly also regarding employment (nearly all 9% are EU-citizens). Final conclusion The annual statistics of Kompasset s work in 2015 confirm the need of helping and counseling homeless migrants in Copenhagen. The number of inquiries is constant when comparing to 2014 and the topics are very similar. It s noteworthy that use of facilities has increased which underlines how many come to use storage, having a postal address and simply taking a break from the streets. This category also includes Kompasset s many talks and motivational chats taking place in the common greeting area where users can relax, have coffee and use the computers. The decrease in the number of assistance given regarding registration in Denmark is not clear. Perhaps because people have had less success in getting a job in 2015 compared to 2014? Have more received assistance in the municipality s International House? Unfortunately, we don t know how many of our users succeed in getting a job and sometimes they receive the assistance of registering from their employers. February 2016

KOMPASSET independent guidance for homeless migrants

KOMPASSET independent guidance for homeless migrants On January 7 th 2015, Kirkens Korshær s KOMPASSET, had been counselling homeless migrants in Copenhagen for 2 years. The present document provides an overview of who, how many and why migrants have used