Ukrainians Migration to Italy by Cristina Montefusco IOM Italy ESF SCSS Exploratory Workshop: ESF SCSS Exploratory Workshop: Where Migration Policies meet

Ukrainians Migration to ItalyUkrainians Migration to Italybyby

Cristina MontefuscoCristina MontefuscoIOM ItalyIOM Italy

ESF SCSS Exploratory Workshop:ESF SCSS Exploratory Workshop:

Where Migration Policies meet the Migrants:Where Migration Policies meet the Migrants:comparing European and North American comparing European and North American

experiencesexperiences

Athens, 2-3 October 2008Athens, 2-3 October 2008

International Organization for Migration


1.1.Main features of Ukrainians in ItalyMain features of Ukrainians in Italy

2.2.Case study and methodologyCase study and methodology

3.3.Nodal pointsNodal points

4.4.Migrant typologyMigrant typology

5.5.Conclusions and future perspectivesConclusions and future perspectives

SUMMARY

1.1. Main features of the Ukrainians in Italy: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.

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;


Ukrainian immigration to Italy is located in the context of Ukrainian immigration to Italy is located in the context of the ‘feminization of immigration’:the ‘feminization of immigration’:

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::

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.


2. Case study and methodology2. Case study and methodology

UkrainiansUkrainians interviewed by the researcher were 3 and reflected the interviewed by the researcher were 3 and reflected the characteristics above described i.e. women, age, education, left characteristics above described i.e. women, age, education, left behind a family with children, regional origin. behind a family with children, regional origin.

Policy makersPolicy makers interviewed were 2: interviewed were 2: at the national level, the assistant of the Director General for at the national level, the assistant of the Director General for

migration issues at the Ministry of Labour in charge of the migration issues at the Ministry of Labour in charge of the management of international affairs and integration policiesmanagement of international affairs and integration policies

at the local level, the assistant in charge of the second level’s at the local level, the assistant in charge of the second level’s interventions in the area of migration and asylum of the local interventions in the area of migration and asylum of the local Councilor (Municipality of Rome) competent on welfare issues. Councilor (Municipality of Rome) competent on welfare issues.

Also, this pilot study produced results which corroborate the findings Also, this pilot study produced results which corroborate the findings of previous works.of previous works.


3. Nodal points3. Nodal points

General consideration: General consideration:

It is the (Italian) welfare policy which more affects the It is the (Italian) welfare policy which more affects the Ukrainian migratory project to Italy as the latter Ukrainian migratory project to Italy as the latter

responds to responds to a ‘need of assistance’ of the population (esp. a ‘need of assistance’ of the population (esp. families) families) which is not covered by the public system. which is not covered by the public system.

Weak law enforcement policy and capacity to manage Weak law enforcement policy and capacity to manage migration which facilitate Ukrainians – and migrants in migration which facilitate Ukrainians – and migrants in general - to ‘ignore’ policies.general - to ‘ignore’ policies.

Italian immigration policy as a whole seems to be not Italian immigration policy as a whole seems to be not considered as a relevant factor when deciding to considered as a relevant factor when deciding to

migrate: migrate: migration paths and work opportunities are migration paths and work opportunities are known by word known by word of mouth. Constant reference is made to of mouth. Constant reference is made to friends’ friends’ connections and persons living next door.connections and persons living next door.


The role of The role of informationinformation and and professional networksprofessional networks::

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”

Italian language is easier to learn than others

Italian history and culture plays a role

Ukrainian friends in Italy help in organizing their initial accommodation and (irregular) employment. ‘Friends’ are sometimes smugglers.


IgnoredIgnored nodal points: nodal points:

VISAVISA Misuse of tourism visa: they enter the country with Misuse of tourism visa: they enter the country with

a a regular tourism visa and overstay until there is a regular tourism visa and overstay until there is a possibility to regularise their position. possibility to regularise their position.

In the last few years, Italy applied a more rigid In the last few years, Italy applied a more rigid visa visa policy which is also ignored by entering illegally policy which is also ignored by entering illegally into into the country. the country. ((Also to be considered the impact of the Readmission and Visa Also to be considered the impact of the Readmission and Visa Facilitation Agreement between Ukraine and EU entered in force this Facilitation Agreement between Ukraine and EU entered in force this year).year).

Border and internal controlBorder and internal control Strategies are developed to overcome border Strategies are developed to overcome border

control control mechanisms;mechanisms; Internal controls are perceived as “softer than in Internal controls are perceived as “softer than in

our our country”. country”. They also say that “if you work honestly there are They also say that “if you work honestly there are

no no special problems”.special problems”.


IntegrationIntegration

Referring to the specific sector of domestic work and care assistance , Referring to the specific sector of domestic work and care assistance , Ukrainians (and other Eastern EU immigrants) mainly enter irregularly in the Ukrainians (and other Eastern EU immigrants) mainly enter irregularly in the labour market. labour market.

The quota system does not reflect the real needs, it is slow and bureaucratic. 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.After years of irregular status they get to interact with the system.

Informants reported no discriminatory attitudes and behaviours;Informants reported no discriminatory attitudes and behaviours;

On the access to public services and interaction with the local context, the On the access to public services and interaction with the local context, the feedback was positive;feedback was positive;

However, studies report cases of significant distress and However, studies report cases of significant distress and malaisemalaise due to the due to the type of work (constant contact with death and pain) and the their type of work (constant contact with death and pain) and the their exploitation linked to their illegal status in the country.exploitation linked to their illegal status in the country.

Beauty of Ukrainians is a facilitator factor in relation to their acceptance by Beauty of Ukrainians is a facilitator factor in relation to their acceptance by public authorities, families and the population in general. public authorities, families and the population in general.

At the local level (Rome), no special policies has been developed for At the local level (Rome), no special policies has been developed for Ukrainians - as well as for other foreign communities.Ukrainians - as well as for other foreign communities.


Relevance of the local and regional contextRelevance of the local and regional context

Trend to go first to Campania and the south of Italy in general and 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 then move to the north of the country (higher work opportunities and higher salaries). and higher salaries).

The first regions of Italy hosting Ukrainians reflect, in a way, this The first regions of Italy hosting Ukrainians reflect, in a way, this trend: 1. Campania; 2. Lombardia; 3. Emilia-Romagna; 4. Lazio.trend: 1. Campania; 2. Lombardia; 3. Emilia-Romagna; 4. Lazio.

Presumed reasons: softer enforcement policy; tolerant society; Presumed reasons: softer enforcement policy; tolerant society; historical links between the port-cities of Naples and Odessa.historical links between the port-cities of Naples and Odessa.


4. Migrant tipology4. Migrant tipology

Due to the recent origin of Ukrainian migratory project to Due to the recent origin of Ukrainian migratory project to Italy, it is too early to assess if return will really characterize Italy, it is too early to assess if return will really characterize Ukrainian. Ukrainian.

It could be anticipated, though, that due to the average It could be anticipated, though, that due to the average high age of these migrants, they will be strongly motivated high age of these migrants, they will be strongly motivated to return due to the strong links to the country of origin. to return due to the strong links to the country of origin.

Differently, the new generation of Ukrainian coming to Italy Differently, the new generation of Ukrainian coming to Italy will probably be more likely to stay and settle.will probably be more likely to stay and settle.


5. Conclusions and future perspetives5. Conclusions and future perspetivesNodal points:Nodal points:

It seems that the nodal points are mainly It seems that the nodal points are mainly ignoredignored by Ukrainians by Ukrainians and that the welfare policy along with the Italian social and that the welfare policy along with the Italian social transformation are the major causes which impact on their transformation are the major causes which impact on their decision to migrate to Italy. decision to migrate to Italy.

EU policies will more and more affect immigration policies in the EU policies will more and more affect immigration policies in the futurefuture, e.g.:, e.g.:

A readmission and visa facilitation agreement between Ukraine A readmission and visa facilitation agreement between Ukraine and the European Union entered into force in 2008: facilitated visa and the European Union entered into force in 2008: facilitated visa issuing (fees reduced) in change of readmission (i.e. acceptance issuing (fees reduced) in change of readmission (i.e. acceptance and repatriation of illegal residents): the agreement is giving and repatriation of illegal residents): the agreement is giving positive results. The number of visas issued positive results. The number of visas issued tripledtripled compared to compared to 2007. 2007. A presidential summit was held last September between the EU A presidential summit was held last September between the EU and UKR which confirmed the will to finalise an association and UKR which confirmed the will to finalise an association agreement. agreement. Will this have an impact on Ukrainian migration to the EU ?Will this have an impact on Ukrainian migration to the EU ?


CAPACITY BUILDING ACTION TOWARDS UKRAINIAN LOCAL INSTITUTIONS CAPACITY BUILDING ACTION TOWARDS UKRAINIAN LOCAL INSTITUTIONS FOR THE EMPOWERMENT OF MIGRATORY AND SOCIAL-EDUCATIONAL FOR THE EMPOWERMENT OF MIGRATORY AND SOCIAL-EDUCATIONAL

POLICIES ON BEHALF OF CHILDREN, WOMEN AND LOCAL COMMUNITIES.POLICIES ON BEHALF OF CHILDREN, WOMEN AND LOCAL COMMUNITIES.

An IOM project funded by Italian MFA which envisages, as a preliminary An IOM project funded by Italian MFA which envisages, as a preliminary activity, a deep analysis of the Ukrainian migratory project to Italy. activity, a deep analysis of the Ukrainian migratory project to Italy.

Special attention will be paid on: Special attention will be paid on:

The main characteristics of familiar disgregation and social orphans’ The main characteristics of familiar disgregation and social orphans’ phenomenon phenomenon

Mapping of relevant institutions/services, their functions and competenciesMapping of relevant institutions/services, their functions and competencies Qualitative and quantitative data and information on the Ukrainian Qualitative and quantitative data and information on the Ukrainian

migratory flow to Italymigratory flow to Italy Gap and need analysis of relevant central and local institution,Gap and need analysis of relevant central and local institution, On the basis of the above, elaboration of an action plan addressed to 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 institutions in order to develop a strategy for the reduction of social distress and the phenomenon of abandoned minors and irregular distress and the phenomenon of abandoned minors and irregular migration. migration.

It is a decentralised cooperation project which envisages the participation It is a decentralised cooperation project which envisages the participation of Italian and Ukrainian Regions.of Italian and Ukrainian Regions.

The project should start in November.The project should start in November.


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Ukrainians Migration to Italy by Cristina Montefusco IOM Italy ESF SCSS Exploratory Workshop: ESF SCSS Exploratory Workshop: Where Migration Policies meet