France naturalizes Covid-19 frontline foreign workers as a reward for their efforts

Foreigners in France whose jobs expose them to high risks of Covid-19 will be naturalized quickly for their commitment during the pandemic. This is according to the French Ministry of the Interior.

In September, the ministry invited people who “actively contribute” to the fight against the new coronavirus to apply for accelerated naturalization.

According to the office of Marlene Schiappa, junior minister of citizenship, of nearly 3,000 people who responded, 74 had already been granted citizenship and 693 others were in the final stages of the process.

“Health professionals, housekeepers, babysitters, cashier staff: they have all proven their commitment to the nation, and it is now the republic’s turn to take a step in their direction”, adds the communicated.

In addition, immigration authorities have been ordered to reduce the period of residence required to obtain citizenship to two years, compared to five years usually in the case of “great services rendered”.

(AFP)