Immigration to Romania Nicolae Cernei FRG Timisoara Vo. T.E.N. VERONA

Generalities Between the 19th century and the first half of the 20th century, Romania was a minor emigration destination for Italy but one of extreme interest for the historic, social and political implications that shaped that period Between the 19th century and the first half of the 20th century, Romania was a minor emigration destination for Italy but one of extreme interest for the historic, social and political implications that shaped that period In those years, Romania became like a new America with exploitable resources and virgin lands. The affinity of climate, territory, language and customs took the place for past political unity, favouring integration. In those years, Romania became like a new America with exploitable resources and virgin lands. The affinity of climate, territory, language and customs took the place for past political unity, favouring integration.

Generalities Estimated total number of international migrants who lived in the country on 1st January 1990 was 139,973 (56.6% among them were women). That means 0.6% of total population Estimated total number of international migrants who lived in the country on 1st January 1990 was 139,973 (56.6% among them were women). That means 0.6% of total population Romania was a transit country for immigrants (coming from Asia, Middle East or Turkey), who arrived here trying to cross illegally the border for going to the European Union space." Romania was a transit country for immigrants (coming from Asia, Middle East or Turkey), who arrived here trying to cross illegally the border for going to the European Union space."

Immigration In the last ten years, the immigration phenomen was characterized by an increasing number of foreign citizens who, from different reasons, entered Romania for periods exceeding six months. In the last ten years, the immigration phenomen was characterized by an increasing number of foreign citizens who, from different reasons, entered Romania for periods exceeding six months. If in 1995 almost 4500 persons entered in the country as immigrants, in 2001 their number reached If in 1995 almost 4500 persons entered in the country as immigrants, in 2001 their number reached The number of demands for asylum and of those who received the status of refugee is reduced in our country. The number of demands for asylum and of those who received the status of refugee is reduced in our country. The number of known refugees in 2001 was about 1829 persons. The number of known refugees in 2001 was about 1829 persons.

Immigrants By 2003, almost 11 % of all the foreigners who received Romanian citizenship were Iranians. By 2003, almost 11 % of all the foreigners who received Romanian citizenship were Iranians. The official data show that in Romania there are 913 Iranian citizens. The official data show that in Romania there are 913 Iranian citizens. According to the official data, in Romania there are almost Chinese citizens of those have a temporary resident permit and 251 the right of permanent residence. According to the official data, in Romania there are almost Chinese citizens of those have a temporary resident permit and 251 the right of permanent residence. In 2005 in Romania there are citizens coming from countries of Arabian majority, representing 13 % of all foreigners in the country of them have permanent residence. In 2005 in Romania there are citizens coming from countries of Arabian majority, representing 13 % of all foreigners in the country of them have permanent residence.

Immigrants The number of foreign citizens in Romania reached in September Only 5,2 % of them obtained permanent residence, the majority having temporary residence (70,4 % of the total) The number of foreign citizens in Romania reached in September Only 5,2 % of them obtained permanent residence, the majority having temporary residence (70,4 % of the total) Also, only foreigners, that is19,2 % were studying or were integrated in a program of vocational training. Also, only foreigners, that is19,2 % were studying or were integrated in a program of vocational training.

Immigrants More than a half of the foreign citizens in Romania (31.698) live in Bucharest, and for 15,7 % of the total, the trade activity represents the main reason for which they came here. More than a half of the foreign citizens in Romania (31.698) live in Bucharest, and for 15,7 % of the total, the trade activity represents the main reason for which they came here. Almost 60 % of the refugees who come in Romania haven’t have any kind of professional experience in their country of origin, thus the chances of integration on the labor market are almost inexistent. Almost 60 % of the refugees who come in Romania haven’t have any kind of professional experience in their country of origin, thus the chances of integration on the labor market are almost inexistent.

Immigrants In Sept 2008 Romania occupies the first place in the European Union regarding the number of immigrants that come from only one country and the second place for the highest rate of extra- community immigrants. In Sept 2008 Romania occupies the first place in the European Union regarding the number of immigrants that come from only one country and the second place for the highest rate of extra- community immigrants. Romania, of all the UE member states, is the state with the most immigrants that come from only one country, from the Republic of Moldova. Romania, of all the UE member states, is the state with the most immigrants that come from only one country, from the Republic of Moldova. In Romania, 56% of the foreign immigrants are citizens of the Republic of Moldova, followed by Chinese (5%) and Italians(4%). In Romania, 56% of the foreign immigrants are citizens of the Republic of Moldova, followed by Chinese (5%) and Italians(4%).

Immigrants In 2008, Romania a was the second destination for the Germans who established outside their country. In 2008, Romania a was the second destination for the Germans who established outside their country. After adhering to the European Union, our country became the country preferred by the Germans, after Poland, advancing countries such as USA or Swiss. After adhering to the European Union, our country became the country preferred by the Germans, after Poland, advancing countries such as USA or Swiss. In compliance with the Adevarul newspaper, most of those who left Germany established in Poland ( ), Romania (38.030) and the United States(35.592). In compliance with the Adevarul newspaper, most of those who left Germany established in Poland ( ), Romania (38.030) and the United States(35.592). Moreover, Romania is also preferred by West-Europeans who wish to become doctors. More and more young people especially from Italy, France, Germany and Swiss come in Transilvania, in a “migrating tide opposite to the one we got used to the present day”, writes the Italian newspaper Il Giornale Moreover, Romania is also preferred by West-Europeans who wish to become doctors. More and more young people especially from Italy, France, Germany and Swiss come in Transilvania, in a “migrating tide opposite to the one we got used to the present day”, writes the Italian newspaper Il Giornale

EU Immigrants The highest rates of immigrants from outside UE were recorded in Slovenia (90%), Romania (86%), Portugal (84%) and Check Republic (83%). The highest rates of immigrants from outside UE were recorded in Slovenia (90%), Romania (86%), Portugal (84%) and Check Republic (83%). The Romanian immigrants in the EU member states whose number is nowadays estimated to 2,3 millions persons (80% in Italy and Spain) tend to exceed soon the Turkish immigrants (2,4 million persons), show the study “ Romanians from Italy” The Romanian immigrants in the EU member states whose number is nowadays estimated to 2,3 millions persons (80% in Italy and Spain) tend to exceed soon the Turkish immigrants (2,4 million persons), show the study “ Romanians from Italy” The number of the Romanian immigrants in the UE member stated rises to 1,7 millions at the end of 2007, of a total number of 31 million immigrants in entire Europe. The number of the Romanian immigrants in the UE member stated rises to 1,7 millions at the end of 2007, of a total number of 31 million immigrants in entire Europe. At the same time, regarding the presence of Romanians in Italy, this is estimated in that study respectively to 1,165 millions and more then in Spain At the same time, regarding the presence of Romanians in Italy, this is estimated in that study respectively to 1,165 millions and more then in Spain

Romania has an approved strategy in the immigration field for the years The Government approved in The Romanian Strategy in the immigration field for the period The main directions this strategy establishes are: controlled immigration, prevention and combating of the illegal immigration, asylum, social integration of the foreigners and correlation of all these aspects with the phenomenon of the Romanian citizens’ immigration.

Directions of actions Controlled immigration Controlled immigration Prevention and combating of the illegal immigration Prevention and combating of the illegal immigration Asylum Asylum Social integration of the foreigners Social integration of the foreigners

Immigration policy The policy regarding the social integration of the foreigners: The measures taken in the foreigners’ integration field, mainly follow the employment, the acces to the social insurance and health insurance system. The policy regarding the social integration of the foreigners: The measures taken in the foreigners’ integration field, mainly follow the employment, the acces to the social insurance and health insurance system. MIRA- Romanian Office for Immigrants, General Direction of Consular Relationships and MAE shall provide, in November 2007, a virtual library that comprise specimens of the civil status documents used by foreigners in Romania.

Problems The professional qualification programs meant for the foreigners lack almost completely, thing that makes impossible the employment for most of them. The professional qualification programs meant for the foreigners lack almost completely, thing that makes impossible the employment for most of them. The legislation in force provides that the foreigners could enter in the public education system only with payment, excepting the ones that benefit of scholarships from the part of the Romanian state. The legislation in force provides that the foreigners could enter in the public education system only with payment, excepting the ones that benefit of scholarships from the part of the Romanian state.

Measures LAW No. 260 from 5 October 2005 – the free movement in Ro for EU citizens LAW No. 260 from 5 October 2005 – the free movement in Ro for EU citizens The Low 122/May 2006 – the asylum in Romania he Romanian Government The Low 122/May 2006 – the asylum in Romania he Romanian Government The Romanian Office for emigration The Romanian Office for emigration Impact Developer & Contractor (IMP) wants to build immigration centers that will be developed in Cluj- Napoca and in Ghencea neighborhood in Bucharest, where shall be provided education and labor force allocation services. Impact Developer & Contractor (IMP) wants to build immigration centers that will be developed in Cluj- Napoca and in Ghencea neighborhood in Bucharest, where shall be provided education and labor force allocation services.

Measures Immigration centers that can offer a wide range of services for supporting the immigrants, from providing the primary needs to complex education services, including allocation of labor force, as it is shown in the financial report of the company for year Immigration centers that can offer a wide range of services for supporting the immigrants, from providing the primary needs to complex education services, including allocation of labor force, as it is shown in the financial report of the company for year This is one of the future objectives f the company, as well as the beginning starting with the second half of 2010, of the construction of the second phase in the Greenfield Residence project. This is one of the future objectives f the company, as well as the beginning starting with the second half of 2010, of the construction of the second phase in the Greenfield Residence project. This shall be accomplished on a surface of 4 hectares and shall comprise 628 apartments, in 16 blocks. The project shall begin by building a block in each of the three assemblies, which will comprise a total of 127 dwelling units. This shall be accomplished on a surface of 4 hectares and shall comprise 628 apartments, in 16 blocks. The project shall begin by building a block in each of the three assemblies, which will comprise a total of 127 dwelling units.

Measures Another project of Impact aims at building a B- class office building, within Greenfield complex, with a surface of square meters, whose finalization is established for 2012 Another project of Impact aims at building a B- class office building, within Greenfield complex, with a surface of square meters, whose finalization is established for 2012 Romania is on the list of the countries in which less than persons worldwide would like to immigrate. Romania is on the list of the countries in which less than persons worldwide would like to immigrate.

Remarks The construction field, which provides 10% of IGP, is crossing a personnel crisis, the labor unions sustaining that the shortage of workers rises to persons in 2006 The construction field, which provides 10% of IGP, is crossing a personnel crisis, the labor unions sustaining that the shortage of workers rises to persons in 2006 In Romania legally live almost 60 thousands foreign citizens, most of them coming from Turkey, Republic of Moldova, China and the Arabian countries. In Romania legally live almost 60 thousands foreign citizens, most of them coming from Turkey, Republic of Moldova, China and the Arabian countries. In compliance with CRDE, almost 60 % of the refugees that come in Romania have had no professional experience in the country of origin, so that the chances of integration on the labor market are almost inexistent. In compliance with CRDE, almost 60 % of the refugees that come in Romania have had no professional experience in the country of origin, so that the chances of integration on the labor market are almost inexistent. Nowadays as a consequence of the economic crisis effects, the construction sector is stagnating, thus the personnel is laid off. Nowadays as a consequence of the economic crisis effects, the construction sector is stagnating, thus the personnel is laid off.

– Thank you !