- Title: Colombia announces steps to regulate migration of Venezuelans
- Date: 28th July 2017
- Summary: BOGOTA, COLOMBIA (JULY 28, 2017) (REUTERS) (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) COLOMBIAN DIRECTOR GENERAL OF IMMIGRATION, CHRISTIAN KRUGER SARMIENTO SAYING: "This will let them work in a formal manner, without the need - what we're seeing today, which is that they are being hired without the full complement of legal requirements, infringing on the rights of these people, paying them less than a third (of a normal salary). By being irregular, they, of course, aren't able to sign up for the social security system, so the measure that we're rolling out today looks to protect this migrant population which at one point had the intention of being in our territory in a formal manner, but because of the circumstances of the situation they've gone over this residency period." MAN ALONGSIDE IMAGE OF THE NEW SPECIAL RESIDENCY PERMISSION CARD (WHICH WILL BE GIVEN TO VENEZUELAN IMMIGRANTS) CLOSE UP DETAIL OF THE NEW SPECIAL RESIDENCY PERMISSION CARD (PEP) SECOND DETAIL OF THE NEW SPECIAL RESIDENCY PERMISSION CARD FULL VIEW OF NEW SPECIAL RESIDENCY PERMISSION CARD DETAIL OF THE NEW SPECIAL RESIDENCY PERMISSION CARD (PEP) (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) COLOMBIAN DIRECTOR GENERAL OF IMMIGRATION, CHRISTIAN KRUGER SARMIENTO SAYING: "The situation in Venezuela isn't just impacting Colombia, but also many other countries in the world. Clearly, the bonds between Colombia and Venezuela are very strong and here is where this situation is most clear."
- Embargoed: 11th August 2017 18:49
- Keywords: Colombia Venezuela Migration Maduro
- Location: CUCUTA AND BOGOTA, COLOMBIA
- City: CUCUTA AND BOGOTA, COLOMBIA
- Country: Colombia
- Topics: Government/Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA0046RMUUKN
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text:The crisis in Venezuela has spilled over into the territory of its neighbor, Colombia, in the form of thousands of Venezuelans fleeing unrest, violence and economic crisis. The Colombian Immigration Authority announced Friday (July 28) the creation of a Special Residency Permission Card that will allow the some 150,000 Venezuelans who have overstayed their permitted residency to work, study or simply remain in Colombia for the time being.
According to Christian Kruger Sarmiento, the Director General of Colombia's Immigration Authority the new permission will allow Venezuelans to work on the formal economy, with the full rights of citizens and even access the Colombian social security system. Venezuelans trying to work informally were often paid less than a third of typical Colombian wages.
The order goes into effect Friday and Venezuelans in Colombia who entered the country through a border control checkpoint, had their passports stamped upon entry and who have no prior criminal record are eligible to apply.
Colombian authorities noted that the special permission will not replace the need for a passport, will not be a valid travel document and can be suspended at any time by Colombian authorities in the case of misuse. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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