Greek lawmakers are set to vote Wednesday on a sweeping immigration overhaul designed to streamline legal labor pathways and crack down on smuggling, a debate that has taken on urgent gravity following a deadly boat collision off Chios that killed 15 people.
The bill, introduced by the ruling New Democracy party, seeks to balance strict border enforcement with the demands of a labor-hungry economy. It proposes modernizing the EU Blue Card system, extending its validity to three years for high-skilled workers, and introducing "tech" and "talent" visas to attract startups and graduates.
Deputy Migration Minister Sevasti Voloudaki defended the legislation in committee as a necessary evolution of state policy.
“We deter illegal flows and open controlled channels for economic needs,” Mrs. Voloudaki said. She highlighted the success of pilot integration programs at the Koutsokhero center, where asylum-seekers receive language training and job placement before final asylum decisions are rendered.
However, the bill also tightens controls. It mandates stricter registration for NGOs operating in the migration sector and increases penalties for those with links to smuggling networks.
It also introduces mobile medical units equipped for wrist X-rays to verify the age of arrivals claiming to be minors, aiming to curb abuse of protections for unaccompanied children.
The vote comes as Greece struggles to manage a surge in arrivals, with over 15,000 migrants recorded this year.
The political atmosphere remains charged after Tuesday night’s collision between a Coast Guard vessel and a smuggler’s speedboat, which left 15 dead and dozens injured.
While the government argues the reforms protect human rights and rule of law, the main opposition Syriza party plans to vote against the measure.
The socialist Pasok party has reserved its position for the plenary session.
The legislation also revises residency rules for unaccompanied minors who have attended Greek schools, grandfathering in current applicants while tightening future eligibility to prevent exploitation of the system.