from emigration to immigration issues of social justice and co-existence
TRANSCRIPT
From Emigration to Immigration
Issues of Social Justice and
Co-existence
Vision Statement of the Ecumenical Association of Churches in Romania - AIDRom
“Churches, in mutual respect, acting
together in Christian faith for social justice,
human dignity and integrity of creation”
What does AIDRom do?
AIDRom: develops and monitors
programs processes projects provides consultancy
diaconal activity
Legend
ecumenical formation
environment and sustainable developmentemergency program
women’s programs
education for peace and reconciliation
AIDRom’s Departments
1. Ecumenical Platform and Formation2. Development and Cooperation Women’s Desk Migration and development Environment and Sustainable
Development Emergency3. Education for Peace and
Reconciliation4. Communication
Social Effects of Labor Migration in Romania after 2007: , CHILDREN LEFT HOME ALONE
• Background: between 2 Mill. and 10 Mill. Romanians temporarily or permanently migrate abroad (out of 22 Mill.)
•Lack of Romanian workers
•FAMILY SEPARATION
• In June 2008 – about 50.000 children were left home (with relatives or
neighbors) by their parents which are working in other countries (according to the
Official Statistics of the National Agency for Child
Protection)
Push and Pull Factors
Pull Factors Job opportunities Better living conditions Enjoyment Education Better medical care Security Family links Better chances of finding
courtship
Push Factors Not enough jobs Few opportunities "Primitive" conditions Poor medical care Loss of wealth Pollution Poor housing Landlords Bullying Poor chances of finding
courtship
Romania as country of immigration
In 2007- 2008 - 49.775 immigrants: Temporary residence: 43.123
Turkeys – 4.832 Chinese – 4.761 Moldavians – 1.214 Bangladesh- 859 Vietnamese - 566 Filipino - 454 Indians - 422 Ukrainians - 343 Serbians - 146 Egypt - 206
Situation of Moldavian migrants
Moldova is one of the poorest countries within Europe
Without remittances by the nationals from abroad Moldova would have little chances to survive: 90% of the national budget depends on those sources.
Moldavian migrants
Migrants are particularly vulnerable as they are often perceived as a threat rather than an opportunity
Migrant workers, more specifically domestic women workers, are excluded from the scope of the labor legislation, since their work is done in households, which is not considered a workplace that can be supervised by labour or state authorities.
Challenges of the Churches and church related NGOs in approaching the migration issue
Human rights approach -Migrants are first and foremost men, women and children whose rights need to be respected, whether they are documented or not, and whatever the reasons for their migration.
Practical approach – information on the migration phenomenon;
Intercultural and inter religious exchange
Project “Challenge for Social Justice – Living and working together in an enlarged
Europe – women migrants”
o The aims of the project are:
- To inform and orientate women concerning working conditions and equal opportunities on labour rights, according to the international standards
- To prevent illegal work force migration- trafficking in human beings- To inform and counsel women migrants on
their rights
Counseling Centers for labor rights and labor related issues
Network of Counseling Centers:
Counselling Centre Iasi - 2004
Counselling Centre Hunedoara - 2007
Counselling Centre Cluj - 2004
Counselling Centre Bucharest - 2004
Aims of the Counseling Centers
Direct counselling of individuals asking for information or direct help;
Pastoral assistance Juridical assistance Information sessions on the Romanian as well as the
European legislation, Meetings with the recruitment agencies Meetings with representatives of local authorities on
labour market and labour migration, with representatives of Local and National Agencies for Labour Force, etc.
Dissemination of informative materials to migrant workers
Informative materials
Brochure “Romania and the European Union – Employed on the Labor Market”
2.500 copies