Between Reception, Legal Stay and Integration in a Changing Migration Landscape in Greece

Abstract

Significant transformations in the migratory landscape of Greece have been observed recently. In practice, the mixed flows of migrants and refugees have modified the role of Greece as a migrant-receiving country. Immigration, in terms of either transit or settled immigrants, has become a major policy issue; additionally, it has mobilized national authorities, international bodies as well as formal and informal civil society organizations. Changes in the immigration landscape, along with adverse economic conditions, has led to further efforts by public authorities in the effective management of refugee flows and reducing the risks of irregular stay for a significant number of migrants. Despite significant developments in the legislative framework for the integration of migrants, refugees and asylum seekers (MRAs) into the labor market, their access to employment remains more of a secondary issue for policy actors.

Migrants and Refugees in Europe

“…In Greece, LMI lags behind reception and immigration control as a policy priority, and there is no singular coherent LMI policy for migrants, refugees and asylum seekers (Bagavos et al, 2019). A unique dichotomy between pre-and post-2014 migration trends characterised by changing migrant demographics and host country context shape migrant LMI needs and outcomes in Greece.…”

“…A unique dichotomy between pre-and post-2014 migration trends characterised by changing migrant demographics and host country context shape migrant LMI needs and outcomes in Greece. Pre-2014 migration featured widespread irregular migration practices, encouraged by an inefficient and ineffective bureaucratic residence permit and visa system, and overlooked to sustain a stream of economic migrants integrated solely through a labour market in need of labour (Bagavos et al, 2019). Post-2014 migration (of refugees and asylum seekers) faced greater LMI challenges owing to lingering adverse economic effects of the 2008 recession and budding informal labour market practices institutionalised by prior migration trends.…”

“…Post-2014 migration (of refugees and asylum seekers) faced greater LMI challenges owing to lingering adverse economic effects of the 2008 recession and budding informal labour market practices institutionalised by prior migration trends. The country also struggles with balancing resources between reception and integration for a population that was often not interested in integrating in Greece in the first place, seeing it rather as a transition point to other European countries (Bagavos and Kourachanis, 2020). Additional features of the Greek welfare system are divisions between the mainland and islands and urban and rural territories which usually undermine access of the islands and rural areas to social services.…”

“…Labour markets for migrants are strongly segmented by nationalityethnicity, placing many migrants in informal and precarious work situations (Bagavos and Kourachanis, 2020). The conservative-corporatist nature of Greece's welfare regime therefore ensures that migrants are only minimally decommodified.…”

“…Greece's welfare regime is commonly classified as conservative, but with a stronger role for families in social provision and with social contributions, it provides differential social protection that tends to favour the male 'breadwinner figure'. Since women are the main carers for children and the elderly, this welfare model hinders their labour market participation, a phenomenon that impacts migrant single-parent families (the common situation) even more severely (Bagavos and Kourachanis, 2020). However, alternatively, the availability of cheap migrant labour for care work functionally compensates for a lack of state support, by allowing families who can afford it to hire private caregivers more cheaply.…”