Perception: Roma would rather rely on government welfare than seek stable employment.

Reality: Roma are systematically excluded from the job market. On average, Roma unemployment levels are double that of non-Roma. A lack of education does play a significant role, but even for low-skilled jobs, ethnic discrimination is a significant barrier to employment. For many Roma, the only employment available is physically demanding, dangerous and underpaid. Such conditions have pushed some Roma to seek work on the black market.

Adisa Bajrić (37),
Vitez Municipality Employee

“I am employed by the municipality of Vitez and have been working as a cleaning lady for 8 years now. One day, Vesna—who also works for the municipality—called me. Our kids go to school together and she asked if I could step in for a woman who went on a vacation. It was only supposed to be a temporary placement. I worked really hard and did everything I was told, but I didn’t have any hope that I would get a permanent position. However, after I had finished the job, Vesna called and told me that the mayor of the city had decided to keep me full time. I couldn’t believe that I had gotten such an opportunity. I cried. It all seemed like a dream. Until that moment, I had lived a really hard life. I had stayed with my sister in Germany for a while, but I had to come back because I couldn’t get the papers to stay there. It’s not true that Roma people do not want to work. They do. Before I got this job, I would go around the city, from building to building, to offer my cleaning services, but nobody wanted to employ me because I was Roma. Now, I’ve managed to help two more Roma woman get jobs helping clean and maintain the municipality building. I love it here. Everyone respects and appreciates me. I want to thank the mayor and the officials working here who have found understanding for me. I hope that more and more Roma people find employment. Only inclusion and equal treatment of people can help us stop the prejudice.”