Recent Romani Migration from Slovakia to EU Member States: Romani Reactions to Discrimination or Romani Ethno-Tourism?
| Title in English | Recent Romani Migration from Slovakia to EU Member States: Romani Reaction to Discrimination or Romani Rthno-tourism? |
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| Authors | |
| Year of publication | 2003 |
| Type | Article in Periodical |
| Magazine / Source | Nationalities Papers |
| MU Faculty or unit | |
| Citation | |
| Field | Sociology, demography |
| Keywords | Romani migration; discrimination; social exclusion; IOM; Roma middle class |
| Description | In contrast to most other analyses of Romani migration, this article is based on a series of interviews conducted with Romani migrants which formed part of an International Organisation for Migration (IOM) survey. The survey results suggest that socioeconomic factors are an important catalyst in the emigration of Slovak Roma. After providing a background to the migrations, the article analyses the Communist regime's policy towards the Roma, and its impact on their socioeconomic status both prior to and after the changes of 1989. The autors identify a "Romani socialist-style middle class", created primarily by these policies, which constitutes the primary group of migrants. Reasons form their migration include limited chances for personal development, a perception of being discriminated against and a lack of focus on developing local responses. Their migration signifies an attempt to escape from social exclusion. The article further considers the reasons why migration is seen as a preferable solution, and then moves on to an analysis of both Romani and majority persceptions of the migrations. The authors conclude with a set of recommendations for policy-makers and non-govenmental organisations. |
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