Communal Works Programme to assist Romani job-seekers in Hungary

10 April 2001

An agreement on a joint communal works programme was signed by the Ministry of Social and Family Affairs and the Ministry of Traffic and Water Conservancy on February 23, 2001, according to the Roma Press Center. Those who win contracts for the work must employ a workforce which is at least 30% Romani. The Ministry of Social and Family Affairs has reportedly allocated 1 billion forints (approximately 3.8 million euros) and the Ministry of Traffic 450,000 forints (approximately 1690 euros) to the scheme, which will offer a minimum of six months employment to about 3000 long-term unemployed. Local Gypsy self-governments will be asked to assist in the recruitment of Romani workers and the National Gypsy Self-Government will oversee the actual proportion of Romani workers in the total workforce of successful contractors. Local Gypsy self-governments and the National Gypsy Self-Government are advisory bodies to local and national governments respectively.

(Roma Press Center)