By Dido van Drie
After tens of thousands of people crossed the border from Morocco to the Spanish enclave of Ceuta this summer, far right politicians across Europe and the US were quick to speak of an “invasion” and “a battle for the future of our civilisation”. Rather than concern for the fact that at least 86 people lost their lives (though some reports speak of a death toll of at least 141 people), the event sparked a continent-wide outcry on the revival of the so-called migrant crisis. Many politicians and far right activists took the moment to warn EU citizens about the supposed danger that those on the move bring. Throughout Europe, these sentiments have become increasingly normalised and also here in Katsikas, the nearest town to Katsikas Camp, some Greek locals echo the narratives spread by far-right politicians. As one local business owner explained about the local mindset, many people in Greece struggle financially and some tend to believe that asylum seekers come to Europe to steal jobs. “People think that migrants are lazy, they get accommodation and money from the state, they don’t have to work for anything. Like they live in a holiday park.”, he says, as he explains the sentiments of some of the local residents.
It is an image of people on the move that is far removed from reality, as the current situation in camps throughout Greece is rather concerning. As confirmed in a joint statement signed by over 30 humanitarian organisations, including Refugee Legal Support, for more than a year, no asylum seeker in Greece has received any kind of financial support, though they are legally entitled to it. The suspension of cash assistance exposes, amongst other things, the increasing hostile environment that Europe creates towards asylum seekers. In this article, the financial support that residents of Katsikas Camp have received, or better said, the lack thereof, will be examined.
A short history of inconsistencies
Throughout the 10 years of the existence of Katsikas Camp, its residents have experienced inconsistent payments and cuts in cash assistance. Back in 2021, we shared an article documenting the inconsistency of payments that followed after the Greek state assumed the responsibility of cash assistance, which was previously handed over from Mercy Corps to the UNHCR. At the time of this article, individuals received 150 Euros per adult, 270 Euro per couple or parent with a child, 320 Euro for a family of three or 420 Euro for a family of four or more. However, after months of suspended payments, the cash assistance was suddenly cut in half. Individuals received merely 75 Euros a month, while families of four or more had to make ends meet with a meagre 210 Euros a month.
Since then, the Reception Conditions Directive was revised, which is the law in which the European Union sets a minimum standard regarding the reception of those who seek asylum. The law and its update are meant to enforce similar standards across the EU and to uphold a degree of human dignity. In the revised Directive, it is stated that
“‘daily expenses allowance’ means an allowance provided to applicants periodically to enable them to enjoy a minimum degree of autonomy in their daily life, provided as a monetary amount, in vouchers, in kind, or as a combination thereof provided that such an allowance includes a monetary amount;’”
Simply put, Member States have to provide a financial allowance, though the amount is not set by law. There is the possibility to combine financial allowance with the supply of food or hygiene products, for example. Since food is provided in Katsikas Camp – though the food provided is culturally insensitive and its distribution neglects people’s freedom of choice – the cuts in the cash assistance are in line with European law. This is debatable in and of itself. Yet since May 2025, no asylum seeker in Greece has received any financial support whatsoever. This is clearly against the Directive.
Effects in Katsikas Camp
“I have asked twice, and I was told that there was a change in the European law.” a resident of Katsikas Camp shares. “Also I was asked what I need money for, we get food, accommodation, we can work, right?” The latter is true, many residents of Katsikas Camp work full-time, mainly in chicken factories and construction sites. “Some people work for 25 euros a day, others get 37 euros. This is less than minimum wage in Greece, but if you go and say something to your boss, he will kick you out. So that you don’t inspire the others, also.”
On top of the insufficient pay, people often work ten to twelve hour shifts and are dismissed when raising concerns. “I had a problem with my leg,” another resident says, “but my boss told me I had to come to work. Only when he saw how bad it was and I could barely walk, he told me I could take a day off.”
What about those that cannot work? Most women in the camp are single mothers, raising a family by themselves in harsh conditions. “[the single mothers] cannot work, they have to take care of their babies. There is food in the camp, sometimes they give formula for milk. But what about shampoo, diapers, perfume and menstrual products? Babies need things, clothes, where will they get this?” explains the camp resident we spoke with further. Technically speaking, the camp provides childcare by social workers to allow single mothers to work while their children are looked after. But in reality, for many mothers, leaving their children is not an option. “Most of them don’t trust their children with a social worker, I wouldn’t leave my baby with a person I don’t know.”
In September and October 2026 many people were transferred to Katsikas camp. Somewhere around 300 people arrived, and even though people are allowed to work legally, for most of these newly arrived people it is hard to find a job. “The main chicken factory, where most people work, is not hiring.” one person says deflated, as the prospect of any type of income is far away.
Cash assistance is not necessarily or only meant to cover people’s basic human needs. As seen in the citation above, in the law it is understood that it allows for a “minimum degree of autonomy in their daily life”. But now that financial assistance has been inconsistent and suspended throughout the last year, the growing concern is that people become more vulnerable to exploitation because of the lack of social and financial support, or become unable to sustain themselves and their families financially. The longer people are without financial assistance, the more dire this situation will become.
Circle of exploitation
Once people receive asylum, they are requested to leave the camp within a month and expected to set up a life in Greece autonomously, without much assistance or preparing programs. In some cases, asylum seekers are told to leave a camp within a week of receiving their documents. Who gets to stay a little longer and who needs to leave immediately is decided rather arbitrarily. It creates uncertainty, and there is little to no support in finding accommodation, a source of income, or to set up a bank account. As more than a year since the last cash assistance has passed, many are without any savings, which has led to a situation in which exploitation is more likely to occur. One person living in the camp explains, “People, women a lot also, become an easier target. Someone will say, if you do this I will give you this.”
Due to the illegal suspension of cash assistance, people are not only not able to cover their basic needs and are denied their autonomy, but more importantly, have grown increasingly vulnerable to exploitation and mistreatment.
The effects of the lack of cash assistance are not only felt in Katsikas. Most people arrive in Greece by boat, on one of its islands, before they are relocated to a camp in mainland Greece. One of the residents of Katsikas Camp explains the situation on most of the Greek islands: “Think of those who are in closed camps, who are not allowed to leave. On the islands, it is called a Closed Control camp, I believe. If they don’t receive anything, how are they supposed to work? What support do they have once they receive their decision? They’re basically in prison, only they can see the sun and the moon.”
Organisations throughout Greece have raised their concerns and have called for immediate resumption of the cash assistance. The Greek Ministry of Migration and Asylum has not answered their calls, and it remains unclear where the money went. Though the sentiment lives on amongst far-right thinkers that asylum seekers are just taking tax money to live an easy life, in reality people are struggling to cover basic needs. The provision of cash assistance is not charitable, it is European law and a necessity to protect the human dignity and rights of people on the move. It must resume immediately.