Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees

CHAPTER IV-WELFARE

ARTICLE 20
Rationing
Where a rationing system exists, which applies to the
population at large and regulates the general distribution of
products in short supply, Refugees shall be accorded the same
treatment as nationals.

ARTICLE 21
Housing
As regards housing, the Contracting States, in so far as the
matter is regulated by laws or regulations or is subject to the
control of public authorities, shall accord to Refugees lawfully:
staying in their territory treatment as favourable as possible’
and, in any event, not less favourable than that accorded to
aliens generally in the same circumstances.

ARTICLE 22
Public Education
1. The Contracting States shall accord to refugees the same
treatment as is accorded to nationals with -respect to
elementary Education .

2. The Contracting States shall accord to refugees treatment
as favourable as possible, and, in any event, not less favourable
than that accorded to aliens generally in the same circum-
stances, with respect to education other than elementary educa-
tion and, in particular, as regards access to studies, the
recognition of foreign school certificates, diplomas and degrees,
the remission of fees and charges and the award of scholar-
ships.

ARTICLE 23
Public Relief
The Contracting States shall accord to refugees lawfully
staying in their territory the same treatment with respect to
public relief and assistance as is accorded to their nationals.

ARTICLE 24
Labour Legislation and Social Security
1. The Contracting States shall accord to refugees lawfully
staying in their territory the same treatment as is accorded to
nationals in respect of the following matters:

(a) In so far as such matters are governed by laws or regula-
tions or are subject to the control of administrative authorities:
remuneration, including family allowances where these form
part of remuneration, hours of work, overtime arrangements,
holidays with pay, restrictions on home work, minimum age
of employment, apprenticeship and training, women’s work
and the work of young persons, and the enjoyment of the
benefits of collective bargaining ;

(b) Social security (legal provisions in respect of employ-
ment injury, occupational diseases, maternity, sickness, dis-
ability, old age, death, unemployment, family responsibilities
and any other contingency which, according to national laws
or regulations, is covered by a social security scheme), subject
to the following limitations:

(i) There may be appropriate arrangements for the main-
tenance of acquired rights and rights in course of acquisition :

(ii) National laws or regulations of the country of residence
may prescribe special arrangements concerning benefits or
portions of benefits which are payable wholly out of public
funds, and concerning allowances paid to persons who do not
fulfil the contribution conditions prescribed for the award
of a normal pension.

2. The right to compensation for the death of a refugee
resulting from employment injury or from occupational disease
shall not be affected by the fact that the residence of the
beneficiary is outside the territory of the Contracting State.

3. The Contracting States shall extend to refugees the
benefits of agreements concluded between them, or which may
be concluded between them in the future, concerning the
maintenance of acquired rights and rights in the process of
acquisition in regard to social security, subject only to the
conditions which apply to nationals of the States signatory
to the agreements in question.

4. The Contracting States will give sympathetic considera-
tion to extending to refugees so far as possible the benefits of
similar agreements which may at any time be in force between
such Contracting States and non-contracting States.

CHAPTER V. ADMINISTRATIVE MEASURES

ARTICLE 25
Administrative Assistance
1. When the exercise of a right by a refugee would normally
require the assistance of authorities of a foreign country to
whom he cannot have recourse, the Contracting States in whose
territory he is residing shall arrange that such assistance be i
afforded to him by their own authorities or by an international
authority.

2. The authority or authorities mentioned in paragraph 1
shall deliver or cause to be delivered under their supervision
to refugees such documents or certifications as would normally
be delivered to aliens by or through their national authorities.

3. Documents or certifications so delivered shall stand in
the stead of the official instruments delivered to aliens by or
through their national authorities, and shall be given credence
in the absence of proof to the contrary.

4. Subject to such exceptional treatment as may be granted
to indigent persons, fees may be charged for the services men-
tioned herein, but such fees shall be moderate and com-
mensurate with those charged to nationals for similar services.

5. The provisions of this Article shall be without prejudice
to Articles 27 and 28.

ARTICLE 26
Freedom of Movement
Each Contracting State shall accord to refugees lawfully in
its territory the right to choose their place of residence and to
move freely within its territory, subject to any regulations
applicable to aliens generally in the same circumstances.

ARTICLE 27
Identity Papers
The Contracting States shall issue identity papers to any
refugee in their territory who does not possess a valid travel
document.

Author: international

Mentioned in these Entries

Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees, Education, Refugees, country.