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