Feb 13, 2012 | by Areté Youth
18/01/2012 - The poll was conducted among 1,200 individuals across the entire country. Another 400 people from other ethnicities and 400 ones with disabilities have been polled in addition, Programme Director of Open Society Maria Metodieva says. The research surveys public attitude, regarding career opportunities, according to five criteria: age, physical disabilities, ethnicity, religion and sexual preferences.
“The major conclusions from the poll are as follows: the existence of physical disabilities is a main reason for limited career opportunities, followed by age and ethnicity. Almost 2/3 of Roma people and 28 percent of people with disabilities said they were rejected as job applicants. Young people, aged 18 – 23 and Bulgarians, aged 46 – 60 are the most affected age groups on the labor market. Each forth polled in these groups has admitted that he or she has personally experienced a negative attitude by the society and employers due exactly to the age. I.e., there are social differences on the labor market and this is quite normal.”
Young people are often offered a job with no formal contracting, Maria Metodieva goes on to say. Some 37.5 of the polled have confirmed that. People, aged over 45, or are about to retire, also face difficulties in finding a job. A bit more than 36 percent say that women take a certain position harder than men. Ethnicity also plays its role at labor negotiations. Some 60 percent of Roma people declare they have been rejected as job applicants due to their ethnicity. Those, who work with labor contracts are mostly Bulgarians, followed by Bulgarian Turks, while barely 54 percent of the polled Roma people can “praise” with such contracts.
However, education affects salary the most, the poll shows. The better the education, the higher the level of employment, social security and payment.
“Our research shows that the employment level with people with primary or lower educational degree is barely 16 percent. Only 23 percent of those with basic education are employed. At the same time nearly 70 percent of people with university degree have a job. I.e. the policy for reduction of social differences at hiring should be aimed at an investment in a better education, responding to the needs of business and private companies.”
Sexuality that is different from the traditional one, also affects the process of job searching. A bit over 40 percent of the polled think that an untraditional sexual orientation is an obstacle in the competition on the labor market, as employers do not trust such applicants. The question “Who is the person that you would never hire?” is answered like that: 32 percent say “Roma people”, more than 25 percent wouldn’t hire a homosexual person, nearly 18 percent would reject pregnant women and 11 percent wouldn’t take people with disabilities.
Full article: http://bnr.bg/sites/en/Economy/Pages/1801discriminationonlabormarket.aspx
Jan 27, 2012 | by Areté Youth
Thirty-five young Roma from Montana took part inthe training "Young Roma - Building Your Career." The event was organized on behalf of the Roma Professional Network on November 12th in an effort to strengthen and support the career development of young Romain Bulgaria.
Nelly Vassileva, senior expert in the Montana Municipality, presented information to participants about effective non-verbal communication. Young people had a chance to discuss how image and body language can be perceived by potential employers and the media in interviews. Additionally, each participant had the chance to receive one-on-one coaching on cover letter and CV preparation as well as practice performing mock interviews.
Ludmila Zhivkova from the Roma Students Organization, Students Society for the Development of Interethnic Dialogue, provided prospective students with the opportunity to learn about universities throughout Bulgaria, available areas of study and the application process. Participants were able to consult with lecturers and learn more about state exams and the entrance score assessments atdifferent universities. Zhivkova also presented the application preparation program of SSID that supports Roma university candidates. Tano Bechev, Program Manager for RPN, informed participants about the Roma Memorial University Scholarship Program of the Roma Education Fund, which awards scholarships to students of Roma origin.
This event was also a great platform for AYF to promote their Romacamps. Miglena Yordanova spoke with students about AYF's plans to expand the camp in Montana the summer of 2012 and encouraged them to apply. As one student noted at the end of the event, "I'm very happy that I attended this event and I hope that there are more in the future."
Dec 07, 2011 | by Areté Youth
The annual meeting of the Roma Professional Network of Arete Youth Foundation successfully focused on the further development of the network to improve access of young Roma. The discussion was part of the annual meeting of the Roma Professional Network , which took place on December 6th in "Rila" hotel in Sofia.
The Roma Professional Network is part of the "role models of tomorrow," supported by the America for Bulgaria Foundation. Its purpose is to support Roma professionals by connecting them with career opportunities in the private and public sectors and providing career development opportunities.
The meeting opened with the Program Manager of Arete Youth Mr. Tano Bechev, who presented its work to date.
Problem demand-supply of labor, access to updated information from institutions and feedback conditions for further training, were among the most debated issues during the meeting..
Additional presentations included Natalia Miteva (America for Bulgaria Foundation) and Radostina Chaprazova (Roma Program Institute "Open Society", which are among the main partners of the Arete Youth Foundation - Bulgaria.
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Развитие на професионалната мрежа за подобряване на достъпа на млади роми професионалисти до бизнеса бе темата на дискусията, организирана от младежка фондация “Арете”- България. Дебатите по въпроса бяха част от годишната среща на Ромската професионална мрежа (РПМ), която се проведе на 06.12. в хотел “Рила”, гр. София.
РПМ е част от програмата “Ролеви модели на утрешния ден”, подкрепена от Фондация Америка за България. Нейната цел е да насърчи контактите на млади професионалисти от ромски произход, като им предоставя възможности за кариерно развитие в частния и публичния сектор.
Срещата откри програмният мениджър на младежката фондация г-н Тано Бечев, който представи деиностите на Ромската професионална мрежа.
Проблемът търсене-предлагане на работна ръка, достъпът до актуална информация от институциите и обратната връзка, условията за допълнителна квалификация- това бяха едни от най-дискутираните въпроси по време на срещата на младите вишисти.
Възможностите за конкретни действия за развитие на мрежата бяха представени от Наталия Митева (Фондация Америка за България) и Радостина Чапразова (програма Рома Институт “Отворено общество”, които са едни от основните партньори на младежка фондация “Арете”- България.
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http://roma.bg/news/?id=76
