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Page 1: Reception Guide - Portugal - Resettlement PT Reception Guide_EN.pdf7 Reception Guide - Portugal ... basic appliances such as stove, water heater, refrigerator and kitchenware (cups,

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Reception Guide - Portugal

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Reception Guide - Portugal

Conselho Português para os Refugiados (CPR), is a Portuguese NGO that supports refugees and asylum seekers in Portugal. We have prepared this guide in order to help you navigate your everyday life. This guide has been designed in response to the most common questions asked by refugees and in complement to the cultural orientation sessions provided by IOM, that you have already attended.

People in Portugal will not always act according to what is described by this guide, however these are the most common practices for most people, most of the time!

GOOD LUCK, AND WELCOME TO PORTUGAL!

• PORTUGAL IS THE MOST WESTERN COUNTRY IN EUROPE. In addition to its’ continental territory, it has two different archipelagos: Azores (9 main islands) and Madeira (2 main islands and 2 sets of inhabited islands).

• THE OFFICIAL LANGUAGE OF PORTUGAL IS PORTUGUESE, one of the most spoken languages in the World, ranking number 6. It is spoken by 215 Million speakers in different continents (Brazil, Goa, Angola, Mozambique, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, São Tomé and Príncipe, and Macau).

• The Portuguese language is inspired by many languages, including Arabic, with over 800 words originating from this language. This is due to the occupation of Portugal by Muslim powers from the 8th century to the 15th century which also left some influence in architecture and culture.

• RACISM AND DISCRIMINATION ARE STRICTLY FORBIDDEN BY THE PORTUGUESE LAW.

1. PORTUGAL – IMPORTANT FACTS

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Reception Guide - Portugal

• MOST OF THE POPULATION IS ROMAN CATHOLIC HOWEVER, many of the Catholics do not practice their religion on a regular basis. There are other religious groups among the population such as Jewish, Muslims, Protestants, Hindus, Buddhists. In Portugal there are approximately 50 000 Muslims forming a very dynamic community.

• FREEDOM OF RELIGION IS A FUNDAMENTAL RIGHT OF ALL INDIVIDUALS enshrined in the Constitution. In Portugal, the State is separated from the Church. This means that the State does not adopt any religion and that all official churches are free and act separately from the State.

• PORTUGUESE HAVE A RICH CULTURE that results from a variety of historical contexts namely from the colonial period. Many traditions are also in place such as dance and music. Fado is one of the traditional music genres in Portugal and it is something Portuguese people are very proud of.

• PORTUGAL’S CURRENCY IS THE EURO. The economy is still fragile due to the financial crisis but the GDP has been slowly recovering and unemployment is decreasing.

At the airport:

UPON ARRIVAL, YOU WILL BE RECEIVED AND ASSISTED BY IOM, SEF, ACM AND BY A TEAM FROM CONSELHO PORTUGUÊS PARA OS REFUGIADOS (CPR). CPR is a Portuguese NGO, working with a network of over 18 cities / municipalities which are available to receive and integrate refugees at local level.

In cooperation with CPR, there are multidisciplinary teams in the municipalities, responsible for the refugees’ reception and integration at the following levels:

Health and wellness;

Housing;

Legal support;

Integration into education system (in the case of minors);

Portuguese language / alphabetization classes;

Identification of professional profiles for labour integration;

Community groups and volunteers.V

2. ARRIVAL

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YOU WILL RECEIVE HELP FROM NGOS FOR A PERIOD OF 18 MONTHS WITH THE PURPOSE OF HELPING YOU BECOME INDEPENDENT AND SELF-SUFFICIENT. IT IS A DEMANDING PROCESS AND YOU NEED TO WORK HARD TO ACHIEVE AUTONOMY!

What support you will receive during the resettlement program?

In the first 18 months you will be allocated a case worker that will support you in your integration process, namely:

• Upon arrival, you will be referred by the NGOs to the National Health System for registration, medical appointments, and medical exams; • Portuguese language and / or literacy classes.; • Accommodation; • Pocket money for your daily needs (amount granted according to household composition);• Social support and house visits by social worker;• Sociocultural and sports activities;• Help with obtaining a fiscal number and opening a bank account; • Legal counselling; • Employment support; • Support for initial administrative steps;• Psychological support, if needed; • Refugee children (below 18 years old) will access education upon arrival, according to the school grade corresponding to their age in the Portuguese education system or also according to previous school records from home countries / first asylum country; • Cultural Orientation Sessions, aimed at increasing knowledge about Portuguese life and society, will be provided.

About Accomodation:

• The first 30 to 90 days, will be temporarily housed in the Refugee Reception Centre (CARII), where you will have basic services provided by a specialized and experienced team. During this period, you will have access to legal support, Portuguese classes (initiation level), cultural orientation programs, health and psychological support, which will facilitate the preparatory process of your dispersal and subsequent integration into a local community.• Given your profile information, and the analysis done during your stay in the reception in the reception centre, CPR has matched your profile to a municipality with available places, previously to your arrival in Portugal, in order to better address your main needs and concerns.• You will be granted with a furnished apartment.• Flats are equipped and furnished with basic equipment, beds, wardrobes, tables, chairs, sofas and kitchens equipped with basic appliances such as stove, water heater, refrigerator and kitchenware (cups, plates, pots, cutlery, etc.) as well as bed linen: sheets, bath and table linens, blankets. The utilities (electricity/ gas and water) are also included. • Families will receive individual housing, but refugees who travel alone will have to share a room / flat with other refugees.• You will stay in these apartments free of charge until the end of the resettlement programme. It is your responsibility to look for a place to live in after the program ends.

About Pocket Money:

Pocket money and support will be available for families and for single beneficiaries. The amount awarded is €150 per person. The pocket money is intended mainly for food and transportation expenses. All expenses related to health, medication, domestic services and housing are guaranteed by CPR after verification.

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Reception Guide - Portugal

Oláhello

Bom diagood

morning

Boa tardegood

afternoon

Boa noitegood

evening

Adeusgoodbye

The Portuguese are usually friendly and welcoming and approaching people with a smile usually offers better results. If you need assistance or directions, just ask any adult person – they will much likely help you!

PORTUGAL is one of the few countries in Europe where nationalist or xenophobic movements are not relevant.

Violent crime is rare and the country holds one of the lowest crime rates; these crimes occur generally on the basis of personal motives and not as part of theft or robbery.

Weekends are usually intended for resting. Please make sure not to make too much noise, especially during the mornings, as many people opt for sleeping in to rest from their busy schedules. Sunday is the quietest day of the week, when many shops or smaller businesses may be closed. During the week, please observe silence in the hours between 10 pm and 8 am.

For privacy, people often choose to close their doors. Do remember to knock on the door before you enter. It is a sign of good manners and respect for others.

3. PUBLIC LIFEWhen using public transport, be mindful of those around you: keep your conversations in a quiet voice and offer your seat to the elderly, handicapped, sick of pregnant women – by Portuguese law, everyone in these conditions has priority over the rest of us.

WAVING OR SHAKING HANDS ARE COMMON WAYS TO GREET ONE ANOTHER. Hugging or kissing on the cheek, between people from the same or the opposite sex, are extremely common as well, particularly among friends or people who might have closer relationships.

Being punctual is important, particularly if you are going to a job interview. If, by any chance, you are late for something, do try to call ahead and give notice that you have been delayed.

Throwing garbage or spitting on the ground, as well as urinating in public are not allowed in Portugal. Burping after a meal is also frowned upon and considered rude. Do no stare or wink and people that you do not know.

In Portugal, the practice of the female genital mutilation is considered as an offence to physical integrity. For this reason, this practice is severely punished by law as a crime.

Child marriage is also a crime. To get married you need to be over 18 or over 16 and have a permission from a parent or tutor. It is also required to have mutual consent, as both need to be free and conscious of this decision.

Sexual exploitation and abuse, including domestic violence, are considered crimes and are punished by law.

4. LIVING IN A COMMUNITY

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PORTUGUESE FOOD IS VERY DIVERSE AND OFTEN INSPIRED BY OTHER CUISINES.

Traditionally, every meal is accompanied by either fish or meat. Pork is very common in Portuguese kitchens.

Another traditional element of Portuguese meals is soup: having soup in every meal in encouraged by nutritionists as this is a cheap and healthy way to guarantee a nourishing meal.

Generally you will find a diverse set of food and restaurants from different countries and you can also find shops that sell spices and different ingredients. Halal goods may not be available in every city.

Food is usually eaten with a spoon, fork or knife and not with bare hands with the exception of sandwiches, pizza, burgers and kebab (among a few others).

Olive oil is also an important element since Portugal produces one of the finest olive oils in the World.

Drinking water from taps is extremely safe as it is strictly controlled by water quality control services. There may be a few exceptions in some public fountains, which are usually marked with a sign saying água não-potável (not safe for drinking).

Portugal is also a country of wine lovers and wine makers and having a glass of wine or a beer with your meal, at the end of a tiring day or on weekends is extremely usual. However it is perfectly OK not to consume any alcoholic beverages. Do not forget: it is illegal to drink and drive in Portugal.

If someone offers you anything you do not want to accept, politely say “Não, obrigado” (no, thank you).

Most places (especially public services or venues) follow strict non-smoking policies. If you are a smoker, do smoke outside or in reserved areas. If you have children, try to keep from smoking near them.

5. FOOD, DRINKS AND SMOKING

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ALL REFUGEES IN PORTUGAL ENJOY THE SAME RIGHTS AND HAVE THE SAME DUTIES AS ANY OTHER PORTUGUESE CITIZEN IN THE COUNTRY. YOU ARE PROTECTED BY THE LAW. ALL CITIZENS (INCLUDING REFUGEES) ARE SUPPOSED TO KNOW THE LAW.

All citizens (including refugees), including the police and the armed forces are obliged to respect the law and can be brought to justice if they do not comply with it.

a. Non- Discrimination

All people are equal before the law and must be treated equally in equal circumstances.

No one can be discriminated or privileged because of his/her sex, race, and language, territory of origin, religion, political or ideological convictions, economic situation or social condition.

b. Gender Equality

Men and women are equal before the law and in the Portuguese society. They have the same right to be educated and to work.Due to lower salaries, it is expected that women work as to help provide for their families. Portugal is among the countries in Europe with the highest number of women who are employed.

It is very common to see couples on the street kissing. People are free to dress however they want and you might find some nudity in the way people dress especially during the summer.

Domestic Violence is strictly forbidden by the Portuguese law and it is considered a public crime, meaning that the victim does not need to file a complaint. A simple complaint will allow the Public Ministry to open a process. You can present a complaint or denounce a domestic violence situation to any police station.

c. Tolerance

Tolerance is respect, acceptance and appreciation of the rich diversity of our world’s cultures, our forms of expression and ways of being human. It is fostered by knowledge, openness, communication and freedom of thought, conscience and belief. Tolerance is harmony in difference. It is not only a moral duty; it is also a political and legal requirement. Tolerance, the virtue that makes peace possible, contributes to the replacement of the culture of war by a culture of peace.

Tolerance is, above all, an active attitude prompted by recognition of the universal human rights and fundamental freedoms of others. In no circumstance can it be used to justify infringements of these fundamental values. Tolerance is to be exercised by individuals, groups and States.

Consistent with respect for human rights, the practice of tolerance does not mean toleration of social injustice or the abandonment or weakening of one’s convictions. It means that one is free to adhere to one’s own convictions and accepts that others adhere to theirs. It means accepting the fact that human beings, naturally diverse in their appearance, situation, speech, behaviour and values, have the right to live in peace and to be as they are. It also means that one’s views are not to be imposed on others.

6. EQUALITY, MUTUAL RESPECT AND TOLERANCE

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Reception Guide - Portugal

In Portugal, education is a right but also an obligation. Children under 18 are legally bound to stay in school. If you have children, you caseworker will help you enrol them in to the school system, according to their age group or school documents you may provide.

Mandatory schooling starts at age 6, however it is important the children between between 4 months and 5 years old go to nursery schools as this will help them make friends, learn the language and overall facilitate the integration process of the family.

Upon arrival, your caseworker will refer you to your local health centre for a general check-up. If you do have any known health issues, please do let your caseworker know so they can arrange for faster medical response of forward you to an emergency service if needed.

Public Health care services tend to be provided for free. Refugees and exempt of paying for medical fees (taxas moderadoras).

Portuguese healthcare system does not comprise dental or ophthalmological care. If you do need this type of care, you will have to go to a private facility. However, in urgent matters and under certain circumstances (pregnancy; children enrolled in the school system etc.) support will also be provided in the public system.

If you get an appointment with a doctor please keep in mind that both men doctors and female doctors can assist you. If this is an issue please mention it to the doctor.

In case of a medical emergency, one should call the national emergency services number - 112. Both the call, the service and the transportation of the patient are free–of-charge.

7. EDUCATION

9. IN CASE OF EMERGENCY

8. HEALTHCARE

112

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Reception Guide - Portugal

WHAT IS EXPECTED OF YOU?

RESPECT THE LAW AT ALL TIMES

Be mindful of main rules to follow and try to find out more about national law – don’t forget: always keep an open and honest dialogue with the caseworkers who are supporting you. Adapting to a new country takes time and they will be able to help you!

PROACTIVELY SEARCH FOR A JOB

There are many services that can help you look for work or even start your own business. The main one is Instituto do Emprego e Formação Profissional (IEFP), which is a national public service.

You should also register in your local employment services, such as Gabinetes de Inserção Profissional (GIP) and Centro Local de Apoio à Integração de Migrantes (CLAIM). Your case worker will inform you about which services are available and also how to access them.

Searching for a job is neither easy nor fast, so you should be focused and persistent.

It is likely that your first work experience will be temporary and in low qualified functions. Low-skilled jobs also offer a good opportunity to advance as you learn the language, gain experience, and familiarity with Portuguese work culture.

BE COMMITTED TO LEARN PORTUGUESE

In Portugal, there is a national programme for learning the Portuguese language called Português para Todos (Portuguese for Everyone). This programme is accessible through registering in IEFP.

You may also have the support of volunteer teachers, who will teach you basic aspects of the language.

Accessing Portuguese language courses is not always easy, but there are many other ways of learning the language. First and foremost, don’t forget to practice: talk to your neighbours, vendors in your local supermarket or shops, or others you may know. It is not only a good way to be more at ease with the language, but also a very good way to make acquaintances and feel supported within your community.

If you feel comfortable using online tools, you can access exercised online, on Portuguese Refugee Council’s page (www.cpr.pt/ple/materiais), some important phrases on our Help website (http://refugiados.net/help/home20160912-PT.php). You can also sign up for learning Portuguese online with the SPEAK Programme (https://www.speak.social/pt/buddy-application/).

10. RESPONSIBILITIES

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OPEN YOUR MIND AND HEART TO A NEW CULTURE, A NEW COUNTRY.

You will be supported by the community and institutions but be PROACTIVE about it. ASK QUESTIONS AND SEARCH FOR SOLUTIONS!

You will receive some information about Portugal but at the end IT IS ALSO DEPENDING ON YOU.

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Conselho Português para os RefugiadosQuinta do Pombeiro, Casa Senhorial Norte, Azinhaga do Pombeiro 1900-793 LISBOATel. + 351. 218 314 372 • Fax: + 351. 218 375 [email protected] • www.cpr.pt