Government to create language-learning programme aimed at refugees
"This measure is part of the important reinforcement of Portuguese-language learning through a specific programme for refugees", said minister, Ana Catarina Mendes, at a hearing in parliament.
Portugal’s minister of state and parliamentary affairs on Tuesday announced the creation of a programme of Portuguese-language learning specifically aimed at refugees in the country, particularly those from Ukraine, in order to help them with their integration into the community.
“This week, the statute that will extend to displaced persons from Ukraine and other recipients access to Portuguese classes will go out for consultation to social partners” – that is, employers and unions – said the minister, Ana Catarina Mendes, at a hearing in parliament during the debate on the much-delayed 2022 budget bill. “This measure is part of the important reinforcement of Portuguese-language learning through a specific programme for refugees.”
Mendes said that this programme would be “essential to support” refugees in their “integration and autonomy, whether at school, in the labour market or in everyday life.”
She stressed that the measure would not be exclusive to refugees from Ukraine.
The hearing with the minister was a joint session of the committees of constitutional affairs, rights, freedoms and guarantees, of budget and finance, and of culture, media, youth and sport.
The 2022 budget bill tabled by the Socialist government is to be discussed in detail from 23 to 25 May. The final reading of the bill is scheduled for 27 May.
The Socialists have a majority in parliament.
