Download
1 / 11
110 likes | 123 Views
Explore the complexities and obstacles faced by Roma individuals in the employment sector, from discrimination and low educational qualifications to limited access to quality jobs. Learn about the overrepresentation in informal employment and underrepresentation in skilled occupations. Discover the need for private sector engagement and effective strategies to overcome barriers and promote inclusivity.
E N D
Roma are eight times more likely to be out of work than non-RomaUNDP 2002
Why are so many Roma not in employment? Roma were disproportionately affected by the economic reforms in the late ’80 to mid ’90s. Roma were more likely to become unemployed or to be forced out of the labour market. Roma entered the period of transition with lower educational qualifications than the non-Roma populations. Less qualified workers were more likely to become unemployed.
Why are so many Roma not in employment? Human capital variables like low education and out of date work experience can explain less than half of the labour market differences between Roma and non-Roma. The remainder has been attributed to discrimination from employers, and the actions of labour market gatekeepers towards Roma.
Where do Roma work? We have no statistics to tell us exactly where Romani people find work in today’s labour market. But indications are that many of those in formal employment are working in the secondary labour market where employment is in low skilled, low paid menial jobs.
Where do Roma work? Research suggests that qualified Roma don’t get jobs in mainstream employment. Nor do they get the same employment opportunities, or promotion prospects as non-Roma with the same qualifications. It’s like working in a ‘Glass Box’ that prevents progress into better quality higher paid jobs.
Where do Roma work? The informal sector is a provider of work for many Roma. Many Roma employers, employees and small business entrepreneurs are being manipulated into the informal economy, into the cheap labourer positions. No efficient measures are being taken to halt this degenerative process.
The current picture… More than 10 years on there is .. Low labour force participation levels among Roma. Over representation of Roma in the informal employment sector where jobs are low paid and poor quality; and Under representation of Roma in high paid skilled occupations.
Role of the Private Sector The problem of Roma unemployment has been regarded as a public sector or third sector (NGO) problem. Very little has been done to engage with the private sector to develop joint solutions for the creation of employment or for the effective implementation of diversity policies in the work place.
The Barriers … The challenge of the future is to find effective ways to overcome and eradicate the barriers that exclude Roma from employment • Discrimination and negative attitudes of employers; • Low skilled workers with low levels of formal educational qualifications and training; • Limited compliance or application of equality legislation by employers; • Low capital base and limited access to credit for business development; • Diminishing links with those in formal employment; and • The intergenerational effects of long term unemployment.
