Immigration

Immigrants in Greece

Immigrants in Greece hoping to secure the new European Union longterm resident status will need to demonstrate a basic knowledge of Greek and Greek history, the government has decided. According to a new interior ministry decision (16928/2007), they need only to demonstrate a minimal working proficiency of the language by passing the Level Two examination offered by the state-sponsored Centre for Greek Language.

The government on Thursday announced in Parliament that it will establish a new agency to combat illegal immigration while at the same time increase the number of border guards. Deputy Interior Minister Athanassios Nakos said a relevant presidential decree detailing the measures is pending. Referring to the number of non-EU immigrants in Greece, Nakos said that as of October 1 registered legal residents numbered 473,547.

Athens News weekly: Basic Greek for longterm migrants

International Herald Tribune: Greece struggles to curb influx of illegal immigrants

Hellenic Migration Policy Institute: Statistical Data on Immigrants in Greece

Gov’t Plan to Integrate Immigrants

The government is promoting a review of current legislation on matters concerning the granting of official legal status to immigrants. A new government program has been designed to facilitate the social integration of thousands of immigrants living in Greece, Interior, Public Administration and Decentralization Minister Prokopis Pavlopoulos told a Hellenic Migration Policy Institute conference last week. Pavlopoulos heralded a new draft law, to be submitted in Parliament next month, “which aims to remove the last few bureaucratic hurdles... faced by immigrants trying to gain official legal status in Greece.” The ultimate aim of the government’s policy in this area is to integrate immigrants “so that Greek society can develop while showing social sensitivity and fairness,” Pavlopoulos said.

An inner Cabinet meeting on Tuesday convened to discuss migration policy chaired by Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis. By pushing back the deadline for filing required papers (April 30, 2007), Pavlopoulos underlined the favorable disposition on behalf of the government towards illegal immigrants. By now, 180,000 have filed papers seeking legalization of their status.

IMMIGRANT IN GREECE PROFILE

Out of 100 immigrants residing in Greece, 50 live in Athens, 52 are married, 43 send their children to Greek schools, 96 watch Greek television, 12 are university graduates, 39 work in service rending, 17 in agriculture, 40 work eight hours per day, however, 62 work six days a week. Moreover, 90 keep their savings in Greek banks, however, only 8 have been granted a loan. 12 immigrants own their residence but only 44 have some kind of social or medical assurance. 37 have been born in Albania, 11 the EU15, 9 in other European countries, 23 in the former Soviet bloc, 3 in Africa and 4 in Asia.

MIGRATION IN GREECE WEBINFO

Hellenic Migration Policy Institute: www.imepo.gr

Mediterranean Migration Observatory: www.mmo.gr

Hellenic Migration Policy Institute/ Mediterranean Migration Observatory: Statistical Data for immigrants in Greece

“Athens News” weekly newspaper: Special migration in Greece survey (2005)

Greek Migration Policy Discussed

In an attempt to treat the issue of migration in Greece, the Hellenic Migration Policy Institute (IMEPO) hosted a conference (November 23-24 2006), during which the opportunities as well as the weaknesses of the Greek migration policy were underlined. Both IMEPO president Alexandros Zavos and Interior Minister Prokopis Pavlopoulos stressed the importance of adopting a socially sensitive, EU-oriented policy.

Greece’s immigrants total 7% (approximately 870,000) of the country’s population and originate mostly from Albania and the countries of the former Soviet bloc. However, over the past few years, there has been a tendency for immigrants to repatriate, something that must be taken into serious consideration by the authorities during the legislation review.

An effort is being made in streaming the legislative framework in a way that mirrors the expectations of the EU and international treaties, and respects the country’s constitutional rights. Social exclusion must be avoided and laws must be reviewed concerning areas that refer to political asylum and conditions of deportation.

Greece must seize the multiple economic opportunities emerging due to migration. Immigrants have significant capital in Greek banks, the suitable management of which could result in an improvement of the income distribution system. Among the EU15 members, Greece provides the most favorable conditions of employment; however, discriminations on salaries continue to exist.

On social integration, Greece seems to be on the right track; however correction measures must not be overlooked. Greece’s 26 cross-cultural schools offer a unique chance for swift and balanced integration, especially through a series of constructive social activities. Likewise, mass media and other institutions can offer an opportunity for immigrants to voice their opinions.

In terms of migration policy, Greece opts for a framework that does not fall within a strictly national scope, but follows international trends. Policy makers have realized that there is no use in “copying” foreign migration policies that are not adjusted to the particularities of Greek society. Therefore, the government will soon make its choice concerning the number, as well as the background of immigrants to be accepted in the future.

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Conception : Georges Bounas - Réalisation : Marie Schoina

Dernière modification : Monday 02 February 2009