The challenges faced by Roma returnees in Macedonia [reserach]
Soon after the introduction of visa-free travel, the number of asylum-seekers in the EU originating from Macedonia began to sharply increase. The unfavorable social and economic status of the Roma community in Macedonia and their insufficient inclusion in society are the key reasons why a large number of Roma people attempted to migrate to the highly-developed Western European countries.
The marginalization of the Roma community in the country can be shown through a large number of indicators and studies, and the data presented in the “Roma Inclusion Index 2015” published by the Secretariat of the Roma Inclusion Decade from Budapest, Hungary, are especially telling: Less than 1 percent of Roma people obtain university degrees, unlike the 12 percent average of the total population. Equally, 17 percent of the total Roma population is illiterate, along with 25 percent of female Roma, in contrast to the national illiteracy rate of 4 percent. The unemployment rate amongst Roma is 49 percent in contrast to the rate of 24 percent across the country as a whole. The average lifespan, one of the crucial indicators of the health of the population, amounts to 59.7 years for Roma, as opposed to the total average lifespan of 70.2 for the country’s general population. The average monthly income for Roma people is by 58% lower than the national average. This data, which refers to 2014, is an excellent illustration of the reasons why many Roma families decide to go to the EU as asylum-seekers or migrants.
This research report outlines the identified key challenges and difficulties that Roma returnees face when reintegrating into their native communities, in the attempt to secure a decent life for themselves and their families in Macedonia. The starting point of the research was their personal experiences and impressions, but the legal framework, public policies and the measures by public institutions aimed at encouraging reintegration, as well as the experiences of the civil sector in providing adequate support and assistance, were also taken into account. The final part of the report outlines some recommendations for improving the systemic response to this issue.
The research focused on five areas: social protection (including the right to access to personal documentation), healthcare, education, employment and housing. It was conducted in five Roma communities: Skopje (Shuto Orizari), Bitola, Delchevo, Tetovo and Kumanovo, in an attempt to catch the possible “nuances” with regards to the subject of research in the different parts of the country.
See the research on the link: The challenges faced by the Roma returnees in Macedonia – Research Report
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This report on the research into the reintegration of the Roma returnees in Macedonia was prepared within the project “Promoting Sustainable Reintegration of the Roma Returnees in Macedonia”, conducted by the European Policy Institute (EPI), in collaboration with the Nongovernmental Organization KHAM. The main goal of the project is to propose and advocate for policies enabling the reintegration of Roma returnees in Macedonia.
The financial support for the project, including for the conducting of the research and the drafting of this report, was provided by the Think Tank Fund and the Roma Initiatives Office under the Foundation Open Society, Budapest, Hungary.
