Transcript Dinamiche interculturali

Ukrainians Migration to Italy
by
Cristina Montefusco
IOM Italy
ESF SCSS Exploratory Workshop:
Where Migration Policies meet the Migrants:
comparing European and North American
experiences
Athens, 2-3 October 2008
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SUMMARY
1.Main features of Ukrainians in Italy
2.Case study and methodology
3.Nodal points
4.Migrant typology
5.Conclusions and future perspectives
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1. Main features of the Ukrainians in Italy:
It started in the mid 1990s and since the end of 1999 beginning of
2000 it has progressively and heavily increased;
Following the 2002 regularization provision, Ukrainians jumped from
27° place to the 4° place of the largest immigrant communities in
Italy;
At the end of 2006, they are 195.000 and constitute the 3° non-EU
immigrant community in Italy;
It subsequently became one of the most important communities in
Italy, both on quantitative and qualitative terms.
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No reliable statistics are available to estimate the number of
undocumented Ukrainians (both overstayers and those who crossed illegally
the borders) though some studies indicate a very high number i.e.
400.000-500.000 persons!;
Their irregular status usually lasts for 2-4 years;
It is a gender-characterized migration, as 84,6% are women,
between 36 and 45 years-old, high-skilled (36,5%) or educated
(36,5% have a University degree) who come mainly from Western
Ukraine (historically more connected to Western Europe);
They occupy the domestic work and care assistance’s labour
sectors;
There is a new trend of younger women, with an average age of
20 years-old, a lower education level and often lacking work
experience in their country;
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Ukrainian immigration to Italy is located in the context of
the ‘feminization of immigration’:
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Growing emigration of women from all over the world looking for
economic independence, mainly working in the domestic and care
sector;
Often assuming an invisible social role in destination societies;
Respond to the need of assistance of rich Western Societies whose
native women are increasingly assuming roles outside the house.
Additionally, in Ukraine:
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Culture of equality between men and women;
Negative consequence: increasing family distress especially of
children left behind - phenomenon of ‘social orphans’;
The risk of ‘care drain’ which could have a negative impact, on a
long-term run, in the country.
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2. Case study and methodology
Ukrainians interviewed by the researcher were 3 and reflected the
characteristics above described i.e. women, age, education, left
behind a family with children, regional origin.
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Policy makers interviewed were 2:
at the national level, the assistant of the Director General for
migration issues at the Ministry of Labour in charge of the
management of international affairs and integration policies
at the local level, the assistant in charge of the second level’s
interventions in the area of migration and asylum of the local
Councilor (Municipality of Rome) competent on welfare issues.
Also, this pilot study produced results which corroborate the findings
of previous works.
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3. Nodal points
General consideration:
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It is the (Italian) welfare policy which more affects the
Ukrainian migratory project to Italy as the latter responds to
a ‘need of assistance’ of the population (esp. families)
which is not covered by the public system.
Weak law enforcement policy and capacity to manage
migration which facilitate Ukrainians – and migrants in
general - to ‘ignore’ policies.
Italian immigration policy as a whole seems to be not
considered as a relevant factor when deciding to migrate:
migration paths and work opportunities are known by word
of mouth. Constant reference is made to friends’
connections and persons living next door.
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The role of information and professional networks:
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Perception and information about Italy and its civil society:
They “have heard” that “for women it is easier to find a job
than for men”
Humanity of Italians: “To work as a care worker I did not
think in going back to Germany. I came to Italy. Germans
are tough. On the contrary I have heard that Italians were
kind, better”
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Italian language is easier to learn than others
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Italian history and culture plays a role
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Ukrainian friends in Italy help in organizing their initial
accommodation and (irregular) employment. ‘Friends’ are
sometimes smugglers.
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Ignored nodal points:
VISA
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Misuse of tourism visa: they enter the country with a
regular tourism visa and overstay until there is a
possibility to regularise their position.
In the last few years, Italy applied a more rigid visa
policy which is also ignored by entering illegally into
the country.
(Also to be considered the impact of the Readmission and Visa
Facilitation Agreement between Ukraine and EU entered in force this
year).
Border and internal control
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Strategies are developed to overcome border control
mechanisms;
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Internal controls are perceived as “softer than in our
country”.
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They also say that “if you work honestly there are no
special problems”.
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Integration
Referring to the specific sector of domestic work and care assistance ,
Ukrainians (and other Eastern EU immigrants) mainly enter irregularly in the
labour market.
The quota system does not reflect the real needs, it is slow and
bureaucratic. After years of irregular status they get to interact with the
system.
Informants reported no discriminatory attitudes and behaviours;
On the access to public services and interaction with the local context, the
feedback was positive;
However, studies report cases of significant distress and malaise due to the
type of work (constant contact with death and pain) and the their
exploitation linked to their illegal status in the country.
Beauty of Ukrainians is a facilitator factor in relation to their acceptance by
public authorities, families and the population in general.
At the local level (Rome), no special policies has been developed for
Ukrainians - as well as for other foreign communities.
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Relevance of the local and regional context
Trend to go first to Campania and the south of Italy in general and
then move to the north of the country (higher work opportunities
and higher salaries).
The first regions of Italy hosting Ukrainians reflect, in a way, this
trend: 1. Campania; 2. Lombardia; 3. Emilia-Romagna; 4. Lazio.
Presumed reasons: softer enforcement policy; tolerant society;
historical links between the port-cities of Naples and Odessa.
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4. Migrant tipology
Due to the recent origin of Ukrainian migratory project to
Italy, it is too early to assess if return will really
characterize Ukrainian.
It could be anticipated, though, that due to the average
high age of these migrants, they will be strongly motivated
to return due to the strong links to the country of origin.
Differently, the new generation of Ukrainian coming to Italy
will probably be more likely to stay and settle.
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5. Conclusions and future perspetives
Nodal points:
It seems that the nodal points are mainly ignored by Ukrainians
and that the welfare policy along with the Italian social
transformation are the major causes which impact on their
decision to migrate to Italy.
EU policies will more and more affect immigration policies in the
future, e.g.:
A readmission and visa facilitation agreement between Ukraine
and the European Union entered into force in 2008: facilitated
visa issuing (fees reduced) in change of readmission (i.e.
acceptance and repatriation of illegal residents): the agreement is
giving positive results. The number of visas issued tripled
compared to 2007.
A presidential summit was held last September between the EU
and UKR which confirmed the will to finalise an association
agreement.
Will this have an impact on Ukrainian migration to the EU ?
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CAPACITY BUILDING ACTION TOWARDS UKRAINIAN LOCAL INSTITUTIONS
FOR THE EMPOWERMENT OF MIGRATORY AND SOCIAL-EDUCATIONAL
POLICIES ON BEHALF OF CHILDREN, WOMEN AND LOCAL COMMUNITIES.
An IOM project funded by Italian MFA which envisages, as a preliminary
activity, a deep analysis of the Ukrainian migratory project to Italy.
Special attention will be paid on:
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The main characteristics of familiar disgregation and social orphans’
phenomenon
Mapping of relevant institutions/services, their functions and competencies
Qualitative and quantitative data and information on the Ukrainian
migratory flow to Italy
Gap and need analysis of relevant central and local institution,
On the basis of the above, elaboration of an action plan addressed to
institutions in order to develop a strategy for the reduction of social
distress and the phenomenon of abandoned minors and irregular
migration.
It is a decentralised cooperation project which envisages the participation
of Italian and Ukrainian Regions.
The project should start in November.
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References
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Thank you !
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