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Current migration in Central and Eastern Europe
Romaniszyn, Krystyna |
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| This report from the Instytut Studio Spolecznych looks at the different migration situation in Poland, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Lithuania, the Ukraine, Bulgaria, Albania, and Russia. The research highlights various forms of migration, including transit, legal and illegal, irregular flows of Asian nationals, short and long term labour migration, asylum seekers, refugees, trafficking of women as prostitutes and the repatriation of ethnic groups. Mass movements have become a lucrative industry and the trafficking networks have developed strategies and the financial resources to maximise their “cargo”. Potential refugees passing through central European countries tend not to apply for refugee status there, but assume that their situation would be better in the developed West. The Chinese are the most entrepreneurial migrants in the region preferring self-employment. Despite noting that there are gaps in data concerning migration this study claims that careful generalisations can be made from the available diverse information. On the whole migration flows in Central and Eastern Europe are consistent with global ones. The key factor seems to be frustration with the economic situation in the home country and the perception of high living standards in the West. A typical migrant in the region is a young, single male, either highly educated or with technical skills and is unemployed or a student. |
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