Eastern European Migration Factor
New Study Identifies Discrimination as Cause of Western Emigration
A recent study at The University of Nottingham revealed ethnic minority discrimination in Eastern European states is a major cause of emigration to Western countries.
A new research study indicates some of the newest European Union (EU) member states in Eastern Europe are fueling emigration to Britain and other Western countries by failing to respect their own ethnic minorities.
Study Focuses on Latvian Language Issues
The research study, conducted by the Global Economic Policy Center (GEP) at The University of Nottingham, focused on emigration causes in Latvia. Russian-speaking Latvian minorities were found more likely to emigrate because the state does not formally recognize their native language. Apparently, Russian-speaking Latvians would rather move to another country with better working and living prospects, and learn the English language than be forced to learn the Latvian language.
Forty-one percent of Latvia’s population consists of ethnic minorities. Many of these people immigrated from Russia and other Soviet republics between 1945 and the disintegration of the Soviet Union in 1991.
According to data obtained In December 2005, almost one in ten Latvians expect to emigrate. The study found that Russian-speakers in the productive 35-44 age group are twice as likely to consider emigration as native Latvian-speakers.
Latvian Labor Market Limitations
The Latvian labor market, especially in the public sector, only recognizes one language - Latvian. This situation causes problems for graduates of Latvian minority schools, many of whom are highly skilled, but have difficulty finding work due to their inability to speak the Latvian language (they are encouraged to learn ethnic minority languages such as Russian). This language barrier increases the chance that minority graduates will want to emigrate to the West.
Problems in Other Eastern European Countries
Similar problems in other Eastern European countries appear to be the cause of western migration. Bulgaria and Romania, the two newest EU members, have ethnic minorities consisting of 10-15 percent of their populations. Application of the Latvian study suggests that given the opportunity, a significant number of these people will want to emigrate to Britain or other Western European states.
Regarding this potential mass migration, GEP economist Tom Ivlevs recently remarked, “If the EU and A8 counties want to limit migration they should be looking to tackle this problem by introducing more efficient minority integration policies in Eastern Europe so these people feel less discriminated against.”
The A8 countries joined the European Union in 2004. They are:
- Czech Republic
- Estonia
- Hungary
- Latvia
- Lithuania
- Poland
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
Migration and the Eastern European Labor Situation
This GEP study follows earlier reports that workers are leaving the low pay and long hours of Eastern European jobs for better opportunities in the West. Eastern European economies have the potential for major growth, but a decreasing labor force could threaten the upward swing.
Ethnic minority discrimination is not the only problem facing Eastern European emigration, but it could be the easiest to fix. Eastern European countries need to deal with these issues quickly, before they lose significant portions of their populations and work force.
References
“Discrimination is a factor in Eastern European migration waves.” The University of Nottingham. PA234/07. November 28, 2007.
