The West University of Timisoara (UVT) presented on Monday the data of an international project conducted under the coordination of the University of Florence, which aims to support the authorities in developing effective policies aimed at the integration of immigrants into both the labor market and the broader social and cultural landscape, with the research highlighting a growing trend in the immigration phenomenon.

The data were presented at the workshop 'Immigrants in Romania. Risks, opportunities and solutions for facilitating the integration process' organised on Monday in collaboration with the Agency for Regional Development West and the Prefect's Institution - Timis County.

Romanian employers say they would need approximately 250,000 immigrants annually, while the government has approved an annual quota of about 100,000 immigrants in the last three years.

Marius Matichescu, Dean of UVT's Faculty of Sociology and Psychology and a member of the project team, told AGERPRES that the study highlights a greater tolerance of Timisoara residents towards immigrants, compared to other areas of the country, but also of Romanians in general compared to the situation in other Western countries.

'The results presented (...) reveal an upward trend of migrants; if until 2021 we had incoming migration mainly from Moldova or Turkey, starting with 2021 things began to change, with growing numbers arriving from countries with which Romania has no formal diplomatic ties - such as Sri Lanka and Nepal. ... These nations now rank among the top sources of migrant workers, with numbers steadily increasing. Romania is visibly changing year by year, and the sectors where these migrants are employed - as data shows - include construction, HoReCa, and trade. It's a reality we are starting to get used to. We attempted this study to see the perception of the community towards them. In Timisoara, the level of tolerance towards migrants is higher compared to the rest of the country, and Romania is anyway aligned with the European average. Which confirms something we already knew: that Timisoara demonstrates a high level of tolerance, a level of multiculturalism that speaks for itself and this is one of the advantages I believe our city has,' detailed Marius Matichescu.

According to the sociologist, the lack of tolerance of the population towards immigrants is greater in those who have never come into contact with them, while interaction and knowledge of the other is the determining factor for raising tolerance levels.

On the other hand, one must be aware that a better integration of immigrants can only be achieved with support and facilitation from state institutions, two key elements being: learning the Romanian language, and social values and skills, because the migrants come from countries that are eminently culturally different from Romania.

'Maybe it is our duty to teach them what Romania means, before expecting them to behave in a certain way. I think we should show them the values and social skills specific to living in Romania. Romania is a country of destination, not just for transit, and we must keep this in mind. Romania is no longer just a transit country. It is no longer just a country where immigrants come and go, but a country where immigrants want to settle. They want to settle in Timisoara, because in Timisoara, respectively in Romania, life is better than in many other parts. And I am referring here to Western Europe,' explained the UVT sociologist.

Immigrants' problems include lack of residence permits, delays in the payment of salaries, discrimination, difficulties in accessing health and education services, integration of their children in schools, but also the lack of a positive perception among the local population.

The study shows that the Romanians are very polarized, from open and understanding people to radicals espousing a hostile attitude towards immigrants, the latter category being mainly elderly, unemployed or low-income people.

The research results propose an inter-institutional collaboration to corroborate data on immigrants, creating functional public policies, ensuring them a decent living, supporting their social-cultural and educational integration, as well as combating discrimination and promoting a positive perception among the population.

UVT Professor Simona Sava says that migrant needs are complex - from healthcare and education to family support and school integration. 'They're not just a workforce; they deserve a decent life and full inclusion. The Romanian society is polarized: some empathize, knowing our own migrants face similar challenges abroad, while others oppose them. And we must respond across all dimensions,' Simona Sava pointed out. AGERPRES (RO - writing by: Otilia Halunga; EN - writing by: Simona Klodnischi)