Ann Morton Hyde ENAR Conference Budapest The Situation of Roma in the Employment Sector

Ann Morton Hyde ENAR Conference Budapest Roma are eight times more likely to be out of work than non- Roma UNDP 2002

Ann Morton Hyde ENAR Conference Budapest 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.

Ann Morton Hyde ENAR Conference Budapest Human capital variables like low education and out of date work experience can explain less than half of the labour market differences between Roma and non-Roma.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. Why are so many Roma not in employment?

Ann Morton Hyde ENAR Conference Budapest 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?

Ann Morton Hyde ENAR Conference Budapest 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?

Ann Morton Hyde ENAR Conference Budapest 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.

Ann Morton Hyde ENAR Conference Budapest 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. The current picture…

Ann Morton Hyde ENAR Conference Budapest 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.

Ann Morton Hyde ENAR Conference Budapest The Barriers …  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. The challenge of the future is to find effective ways to overcome and eradicate the barriers that exclude Roma from employment

Ann Morton Hyde ENAR Conference Budapest Thank you for listening