Poverty of the Romany in Connection with the Job Market in the Slovak Republic

Qualitative analysis, semistructured interviews (N = 356), & focus group methodology were applied in collecting data from Romany informants in 27 communities in Slovakia diversified as to the integration & size of the Romany population. The hypothesis that the poverty level of the Romany is dependent on the job market situation in the region & the integration/segregation of the Romany in the local community was confirmed. The study reveals that their poverty level is determined by economic, social, & political-cultural dimensions. The marginalization of the Romany is greater in underdeveloped regions & in communities where the population remains heavily segregated. The plight of the Romany worsened after the country transitioned from a planned to a market economy, since conditions for adaptation were not equal for the majority & the Romany minority. Labor policies favored the former & contained no special provisions for supporting employment opportunities for the latter. The persistence of racial & ethnic prejudices hamper the elaboration & implementation of social & educational initiatives that would close the opportunity gap. Solutions are considered on state & local levels, considering the role of the World Bank, state government, community self-government, the church, school boards, & nongovernmental organizations. 48 References. Z. Dubiel