Switzerland Traveling into the past in the country of Romas

January 28, 2009

Comment: In this article, the journalist notably quotes Cristiano Barale, delegate of Tdh in Romania, who says that Roma begging in the streets or working on the building site of Switzerland are coming from small and poor villages, like the one in which the journalist did his reporting. The article also mentioned the situation of children coming from the poorest Roma families who are often not going to school, because they are in charge of earning part of the family’s incomes.

However the context of the article is at least as much interesting as its proper content. Indeed, Swiss citizens will vote on February 8 on a proposition to extend to Romania and Bulgaria the labour agreement existing with the other 25 member states of the European Union. The aim of this accord, also known as the free movement of people agreement, is to ease access to each other’s job market.

During the pre-ballot campaign, opponents to the accord are putting focus on the Roma populations living in Romania, and are warning from a potential massive immigration in case the ‘Yes’ comes out of the ballot box. The fear expressed by the right-wing Swiss People’s Party is that Roma people will take advantage of the domestic welfare state and increase the level of criminal activities within the country.

Swiss newspapers generally denounce what they consider an attempt from the Swiss People’s Party to stigmatises Roma population for political purpose. However, its message is having an effect on the voters and the ballot is still uncertain one week before the polling day.

The full article in French here

More on the Swiss nationwide vote from February 8 here