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Panos Hatziprokopiou Aristotle University of Thessaloniki

Panos Hatziprokopiou Aristotle University of Thessaloniki From the “fenceless vineyard” to the “sinking boat”: Migration and social change in Greece at times of crisis April 11, 2012 European Union Centre of Excellence York University. HISTORY & CONTEXT.

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Panos Hatziprokopiou Aristotle University of Thessaloniki

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  1. Panos Hatziprokopiou Aristotle University of Thessaloniki From the “fenceless vineyard” to the “sinking boat”: Migration and social change in Greece at times of crisis April 11, 2012 European Union Centre of Excellence York University

  2. HISTORY & CONTEXT • The transformation of Greece into a migrant-receiving country • The changing European & global migration map • Southern Europe’s transition from emigration to immigration • Domestic socio-economic developments • Immigration into Greece since the early 1990s • (i) Balkan dimension: large-scale clandestine movements from Albania • (ii) importance of ethnic migrations: former Soviet countries & Albania • (iii) geographic position at the southeast corner of the EU

  3. MIGRANTS IN GREECE: KEY FEATURES (1)Foreign nationals by country of citizenship, Census 2001

  4. MIGRANTS IN GREECE: KEY FEATURES (2) Source: Census 2001

  5. MIGRANTS IN GREECE: KEY FEATURES (3) Source: Census 2001

  6. LABOUR MARKET INTEGRATION - 1990s • Gaps & shortages in labour supply • Specific economic sectors & geographical regions • Vacant or unpopular posts (3D) • New needs (economic restructuring & social change) • Demand for cheap, low-skilled, flexible labour : • (a) SMEs: labour intensive activities (agriculture, construction, manufacturing, low-qualified services) • (b) individuals/households (domestic service/ care, house-repair works) • Gendered division of migrant labour • Irregular migration and informal economic activity

  7. THE POLICY FRAMEWORK • 1990s: from neglect to amnesty • 1991 Law: Fragmented and restrictive policy framework, originally neglecting the reality of immigration • Policing: “broom” operations & mass deportations • Hundreds of thousands irregular migrants: first regularisation programme in 1998 • 2000s: rationalisation • First mention of “integration” in 2001 Law, more substance in 2005 Law • Despite still-ambiguous legal status, the majority of early immigrants regularised  But: • Low asylum approval rates • Restricted access to citizenship

  8. ENCOUNTERS WITH THE 'OTHER' • Xenophobia & racism • A 'spasmodic reaction' to mass migration? • A media-fed sense of 'invasion' & 'threat'? • A policy-generated link between immigration & crime? • Reproducing 'global' racial discources (e.g. racialisation fo Albanian immigrants) • Reflecting exclusionary constructions of Greek national identity & shifting perceptions of the national community • Related to changing socio-economic stratification & class relations • Contradiction • Informal relationships & practices solidarity • Civil society mobilisation in support of migrants

  9. PROCESSES OF INCORPORATION - 2000s • Adaptation practices & strategies to cope • Informal pathways of access to employment, housing, health & welfare services (through ‘policy gaps’ & informal social networks) • Heavy reliance on kinship and friendship ties, but gradually also on relationships with indigenous Greeks • Family formation & reconfiguration of migratory projects • Gradual improvement of living conditions • acquisition of legal status; • move towards more stable, better-paid jobs, some in more qualified positions, some in entrepreneurship; • formal access to social security and welfare services (health, education); • better & more suitable accommodation, car ownership, bank account; • Claiming rights & public voice through associations & involvement in mainstream civil society

  10. PROCESSES OF INCORPORATION - 2000s • Shift in public discourse: • Knowing the 'Other' • Appreciating 'difference' • Towards recognition • Positive policy steps: • Fewer social security stamps required for permits • Citizenship Law 2010 (second generation & long-term residents) • Partial political rights to long-term migrants - After 2005: an inversion of trends? • New challenges • Shift in migratory routes • Policy limitations & shortcomings • Economic downturn & economic crisis

  11. VALID STAY PERMITS 2003 - 2008 Source: Greek Ministry of Home Affairs

  12. ASYLUM APPLICATIONS, APROVALS & REJECTIONS 2005-2011 (includes past applications) Applicattions Rejections Humanitarian status Source: Greek Police

  13. NUMBERS OF APPREHENSIONS OF FOREIGN NATIONALS FOR UNAUTHORISED ENTRY/STAY 2003-2011 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5SgQ0Y4mfYY

  14. IMMIGRANTS’ SHARE IN TOTAL LABOUR FORCE 2005 - 2011 Source: Labour Force Surveys 2005-2011 (by trimester)

  15. IMMIGRANTS EMPLOYMENT BY SECTOR/INDUSTRY Source: Census 2001, Labour Force Surveys 2005-2011 (by trimester)

  16. PEOPLE INSURED WITH IKA (GREECE’S LARGEST SOCIAL SECURITY FUND) 2003 - 2010 Source: IKA statistics 2005-2011 (monthly)

  17. IMMIGRANTS’ AVERAGE DAILY WAGES, 2008-2010 (selected nationalities) Source: IKA statistics 2008-2010 (biannual)

  18. AVERAGE DAILY WAGES OF BULGARIAN IMMIGRANTS & GREEK NATIONALS (by gender), 2003-2010 Source: IKA statistics 2003-2010 (biannual)

  19. UNEMPLOYMENT RATES IN GREECE, 2005-2011 Source: Labour Force Surveys 2005-2011 (by trimester)

  20. EMERGING TRENDS & NEW CHALLENGES • New arrivals, diverging routes: • a humanitarian crisis under way? • Difficult present, uncertain future: • economic crisis, unemployment & welfare needs • return migration? • Coexistence, competition & racism: • Between ‘tolerance’ & ‘prejudice’ • An emerging ‘multiethnic’ new Greece? • Ethnic economies • The second generation into play

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