Forms and effect of occupational discrimination in Hungary

The research project aimed at exploring and explaining the degree of occupational discrimination through the analysis of Roma and non-Roma work trajectories in Hungary. Relying on a former research data base 20 Roma and 20 non-Roma employed and unemployed person's work trajectory have been explored in the summer 2004 by applying the in-depth interview method in Nógrád county, in the Szécsény micro-region. The interviewees had previously participated in the social land programme which meant that they had already been unemployed.

According to one of the essential results of the research, occupational discrimination is not peripheric on the labour market, it is present on a large scale, primarily in the application process to jobs, secondarily in case of dismissal. Strong relation has been proved between the degree of occupational discrimination and the labour market status. Members of the non occupied group, especially those of Roma origin, had experienced disadvantageous discrimination during their life span.

The research also proved, however, that a majority of non-Roma had gone through occupational discrimination as well. Main reasons of the early exclusion from the labour market are occupational discrimination related to health conditions, ethnic origin, and age.

Besides labour, the interviews are insightful to other subjects such as childhood, school, family, social services, etc.

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