Lodewijk Asscher becomes the new European Commission adviser on the reception of Ukrainian refugees. The former leader of the Labor Party will “soon” work as a special adviser to the European Commissioner for Employment and Social Rights, Nicolas Schmit, who is said to have asked him to do so. That reports the NOS Saturday† Although he has not yet responded substantively, Asscher has received the message from the NOS shared on Twitter†
According to the NOS, Asscher should look at how the integration of Ukrainian refugees in the Member States can best proceed after the very first emergency reception. In doing so, he must also investigate how refugees can use their work experiences and training in the labor market in the country where they have ended up. Guidance for a possible return to Ukraine would also be in his portfolio.
According to official UN figures, about 7.7 million people leave Ukraine since the start of the war. About 3.4 million of them have registered in a European country for a protection program, for example to get housing somewhere. The vast majority of these are located in the European Union, some in countries such as Moldova and Georgia.
Consultant
Asscher resigned as leader of the PvdA at the beginning of last year because of his role in the Benefits Affair: he was Minister of Social Affairs and Employment in the Rutte II cabinet. Since March has been a consultant at organizational consultancy Van de Bunt Adviseurs. When taking the job, he said he considered a return to local or national government, but ultimately opted for more freedomӠ
According to the NOS, Asscher will keep his job as a consultant and the position at the European Commission is unpaid. It is not known when the former PvdA leader will start working, how long the assignment will take and how much time he will spend on it each week. Asscher was for NRC not directly accessible.