Det Europæiske Økonomiske og Sociale Udvalg
In June, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) held a hearing focusing on combating discrimination in the employment and recruitment of Roma, which revealed that the current strategies for fostering their inclusion in the labour market were largely failing.
À l’issue d’un examen long et approfondi de la situation des femmes roms, le Comité économique et social européen (CESE) a adopté, lors de sa session plénière de décembre, un avis exploratoire dans lequel il a appelé de ses vœux des efforts de grande envergure en vue de mettre en œuvre des politiques en leur faveur ...(lire plus)
Europe's largest minority, numbering more than ten million people, continue to be discriminated against and marginalised in many Member States of the European Union. Human rights NGOs and EU policymakers who gathered at the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) warned that in many cases police continue to use ethnic profiling against Roma people. A public hearing on "Addressing anti-gypsyism in ethnic profiling practices" was part of the third EU Roma Week, held by the EU institutions in Brussels from April 8 to 12.
Despite many EU funding schemes, efforts so far have failed in making a significant impact on the life of Roma, an EESC hearing reveals
"The European Economic and Social Committee considers that the participation of Roma at all stages of decision-making is essential for achieving effective policies that can make a real difference to their situation within the EU. However, the tools available today are not sufficient in this regard"
This hearing will look at the state of play of the national Roma strategic frameworks in the Member States. It will look at some of the plans that these incorporate and discuss possible good practices.
The EESC's Thematic study group on the inclusion of the Roma is organising a remote public hearing on 5 April 2022.
The Covid-19 pandemic has resulted in major economic and social impacts across the EU, worsening the already precarious situation of marginalised communities, amongst them the Roma. The hearing aims to look at the Covid situation for the Roma community living in settlements, as well as their access to services, particularly health services. It will then discuss the measures that are needed to address the situation, with the participation of organisations from various Member States.
The current EU Framework for National Roma Integration Strategies runs till 2020 and is coming to an end soon. A new initiative for Roma integration is currently being developed.
To strive towards a more effective post-2020 initiative, a thorough evaluation of the current framework is necessary. This hearing seeks to offer a platform to assess the current framework's shortcomings and achievements, with a view to identifying the areas that still necessitate action. It will also feature a discussion geared towards providing recommendations for the upcoming post-2020 strategy.
At its hearing on 11 June (10.00-13.00 in meeting room VMA3), the Study Group on the Inclusion of the Roma will be discussing the employment and recruitment situation for the Roma and the discriminatory practices they endure in this regard.
The hearing will seek to discuss the existing forms of discrimination, their extent, as well as the effectiveness or otherwise of actions such as the public works' scheme in improving the Roma's situation in the labour market. It will identify best practices undertaken in Member States and discuss recommendations to counter discrimination in employment and recruitment.
