Roma exploitation: the end of the dream

A commentary feature focusing on the exploitation of Bulgarian Roma people in Europe.

Some 10 to 12 million Roma are estimated to travel around Europe. The political dimension of this ethnical and social challenge is an ongoing discussion in the EU, but what is never told is the dark economy of Roma migration. Who benefits from the large afflux of mainly poor people into western Europe?

Roma who enter into prostitution, criminality or badly paid day labour often do so because of financial pressure. Back home, someone is waiting for money. After all, he is the one who brought them to Western Europe.

Annika Joeres, David Schraven and Stanimir Vaglenov investigated Roma migration into Western Europe. They approached the issue from three perspectives: their three countries of residence, i.e. France, Germany and Bulgaria respectively.

The investigation focused on the profiteers of the transportation, the housing and the employment of Roma in Western Europe. Vaglenov looked at the traders who bring Roma over the frontier and on their living conditions in Eastern Europe, while Schraven sought out details on landlords, employers and traders who work with Roma in Germany. Joerens investigated Roma trading routes into France and their exploitation in factories, tourist restaurants and hotels.

• Primary Source

Journalismfund.eu: Working grant - The end of the dream http://www.journalismfund.eu/workinggrant/end-dream

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