RACISM IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR
Jul 4th, 2007 by kendi
An initiative was recently taken by a consortium of institutions dealing with relationships between public administration reform and immigration policy. The focus was racism in the public sector and the relationship between public administration reform and immigration policies.
This is because the question of immigration policy has not been properly addressed in the context of public administration reform, in Greece. Also, public servants and civil servants have not been provided with some sort of workshop that will give them an idea of the current debate in the field, over the issues of multicultural co-existence and immigration policy in the European Union.
The existing schism in immigration policy comes in the way both the public sector and public
administration tries to tackle issues partaining to immigration, and not only immigration, but the co-existence of different cultural groups within the society. The Greek public sector and the Greek administration need to rethink some of the ways they approach immigrants and issues of
multiculturalism. On the other hand, there is no historical experience of immigration in Greece, rather it’s a country that actually exports immigrants, this is one problem because Greece is not accustomed to receiving waves of migrants.
Therefore there is a lack of familiarity in dealing with the concerns of people coming to Greece either as economic refugees or as political refugees. This is one problem. The other problem is that the relatively porous and difficult-to-police frontiers create problems of insecurity and anxiety in the public. Combining these two problems, one can understand how they produce a somewhat difficult situation. Greece needs to better understand the issues, anxieties of people and try to build these concerns in a responsible way, very much within the context of the European Immigration Policy.
Greece would be well advised to acknowledge the existence of the issues, recognize the level of anxiety on all sides, and try to build a solid framework to handle them within the context of European Immigration Policy
The problem of racism in the public sector is a huge one. So educating and re educating civil servants is a continous process and it concerns all Greeks. There is need to be resocialized, in a new multicultural society. Secondly, increase the number of people with contracts coming from non-Greek groups who can work with the public administration. Obviously, becoming a
permanent civil servant is a difficult process and the same applies to countries such as Germany. Still, contracts could be used to attract people and immigrants, contracts that would be beneficial to both parties, creating better collaboration, climate and understanding. It’s a two-sided process.
On the positive side is the growing awareness in the Greek political system and the Greek society itself. And the way forward is through greater respect for the different cultures and recognition of differences.
Another aspect is that of placing these issues in a wider context of public sector reform. There is no automatic solution. The critical point is education and re- education.
Furthurmore, obstacles might be eradicated by involving people from migrant groups in the working of public administration through employment contracts. Recruitment from
various migrant groups should lead to greater understanding.
My husband (who is Greek) and I have been discussing your blog around our dinner table recently. He tells me that it matters not if you are a visible minority, his view is that even if your are Greek unless you know someone or have a close relative within the beurocracy (I cant spell today), you will not get a job. Nepotism rules the day and that is one of the reasons neither of us would consider moving to Greece. It’s just not for us, although we are visiting in September…ciao
This is very true in the public sector. A change has to occur. Greece is part of the EU, so it has to open up to other cultures and people.