Community Frames of Migration: The Path from Seaca to Spain

Abstract

Transnational migration is a vast social phenomenon that has become a valid option for many Romanians since 1989. Romania is an emigration country and the favourite destinations of its citizens are Italy and Spain. This is the context in which I present my work, which focuses on the formation of transnational migration patterns from a village in the southern region of Romania. The data were generated during field research conducted in August 2012, and the empirical material consisted of field notes and interview transcripts corresponding to recorded conversations with local migrants, authority representatives and people without migration experience. In this particular community, two patterns of migration were identified, for which variables such as ethnicity (Roma/Romanian) and religious orientation (Orthodoxy/Adventism) appear to have explanatory power. My inquiry takes as its starting point the identification of this variety of migration patterns and concentrates on analysing them in the regional and national contexts based on the scholarly framework provided by network theory. Two major differences exist between them: the time frame of living and working abroad (clearly demarcated as three months, six months or indefinite) and the nature of the work environment (departures based on a work contract between the migrant and a company located at the destination and departures accompanied by uncertainty regarding workplace concerns upon arrival). Making sense of these life strategies and their local configurations are the objectives of this paper.

Exploring Hidden Costs of Seasonal Migration in Agriculture within Roma Communities of Origin: Evidence from Romania

“…This dual perspective implies, firstly, that prior agricultural work experience plays a pivotal role in facilitating the adaptation to the labour demands at their destination. Secondly, a compendium of case studies has elucidated the intricate interplay through which migration networks, nurtured within the community, exert a central influence in both the emergence and perpetuation of these migratory pathways [12,13,15]. Moreover, this phenomenon is accentuated by an escalated necessity within these communities to explore work opportunities abroad, particularly due to their constrained local employment options and the deep-seated migratory culture.…”

“…A significant part of this literature is based on community case studies and examines how these localities develop and how returning migrants assume roles as agents of change. In this context, attention was mainly paid to changes in values during migration [27,28], improvements in social status, and the reorganization of existing social stratification [13][14][15]29], as well as the higher propensity in terms of entrepreneurship orientation and propensity towards self-employment [30][31][32]. Many of these effects are seen as relatively beneficial for migrants and the communities, being labelled as forms of modernization [33].…”

“…Behind these issues lies a complex set of structural barriers that have hindered the Roma population's access to education and the acquisition of qualifications needed for access to satisfactory employment [51]. In this context, seasonal migration, due to its lower economic costs, has been one of the significant migration options within Roma communities [14,15]. Furthermore, the fact that recruitment for seasonal agricultural work often relies on social networks has facilitated its rapid spread within Roma communities.…”

“…Even though other studies have documented changes in status and transformations regarding social stratification at the community level [14,15], evidence indicates that these changes give rise to a range of new social tensions within the respective Roma communities. Such attitudes are evident in the negative judgments expressed about those who engage in migration-portrayed as driven solely by monetary greed.…”

“…The importance of ethnicity in Romanian migration has led, on one hand, to migrants being oriented towards specific destinations-Germany, preferred by those of German ethnic origin; Hungary, preferred by those of Hungarian ethnic origin; and certain destinations preferred by the Roma minority [11]. On the other hand, it has resulted in a stratification of migrants based on the jobs they performed at their destination and the most disadvantaged minorities, such as Roma people, more often accepting to do challenging jobs, such as agricultural work, at their destination [13][14][15]. The European Commission estimates the European Roma population to be 10-12 million people, with Romania being the European country with the largest number of Roma within the EU [16].…”