SOCIAL POLICY - SOCIAL INTEGRATION OF IMMIGRANTS RESEARCH IN THE CITY OF RETHYMNO-CRETE Maria Vlachadi, PhD, Lecturer Dep.of Political Science, Univ.of Crete, Greece Evaggelia-Panagiota Kampili Dep.of Sociology, Univ.of Crete, Greece Abstract: The phenomenon of migration is of timeless, transnational and multidimensional nature and the extent of the economic, social and cultural causes of its creation and its effects make it extremely complex, especially in conditions of globalization. The economic and geopolitical changes taking place in Europe and around the world over the last twenty years could not leave our country intact. Greece, a "sending" country, turned into a country of immigration after the 80's. In Crete, particularly in the city of Rethymno, a relatively increased influx of immigrants was observed, in comparison with other regions of the country, due to the employment opportunities for foreigners in the area. Our aim is, through the relevant literature and the use of field research, to approach the phenomenon of migration and immigrants' social exclusion as well as the policies implemented for their social integration. In the context of this thesis, research was conducted to investigate the social integration of immigrants who lived permanently or seasonally in Rethymno, which was a highly complex process. The survey was conducted by completing a structured questionnaire, and was implemented in December 2012. As a research tool, we used a questionnaire with 31 questions on personal data about marital status, educational level, reasons why they left their homeland, as well as data related to training programs in our country, employment, social security, attitude of the Greek society and the society of Rethymno- Crete and the attitude of the city's public-government agencies towards them in order to satisfy their needs during their stay. The Questionnaires were completed in the Voluntary Welfare Clinic of Rethymno. Indeed, all immigrants participating in the research enjoyed the free services of the clinic. Overall, while we addressed about 30 migrants only 15 (8 men and 7 women) agreed to respond. Many of them refused to participate in the survey because they do not have official documents for their stay in Greece. The results of this survey show that the majority of immigrants came in Rethymno in order to settle down and live here for a long time. The majority of immigrants evaluate as favorable the living conditions of them and their family in the new host country. Therefore, the relationship between immigrants and the state and public agencies, as well as the local community, seems to be very important for the process of their integration in Greek society. Finally, they are absolutely satisfied with the services provided by the Voluntary Welfare Clinic of Rethymno. This result indicates the important role of the clinic in the attempt for the "smooth" (gradual) social integration of immigrants in the local community. Key Words: Immigration, Social Integration, Social Policy, Social Exclusion, Public-Government Agencies, Volunteer Clinic of Rethymno-Crete, Municipality 406 Social Policy και Immigrants The meaning of the term «social policy»-Organizations of social policy "Social Policy" is the science, which has as field of investigation the protection system for the weaker social classes aiming at social development.119 The main objective of social policy is the promotion of the welfare and prosperity of the citizens of a country with a focus on ensuring a safe, healthy and quality life. The safety, health and quality of life are the core of the concept of welfare and prosperity. An important element of the study of social policy is the way the welfare and prosperity is provided through policies and actions. One other essential aspect is the study of the National Health Systems, how the concept of Health is defined as well as the ways in which it is promoted like the education systems in the light of the social dimension of education. Also, at the heart of social policy, there is the study of the citizens’ material needs, accommodation needs, transportation needs as well as environmental factors. The redistribution of resources is a central objective in relation to the material needs of people and with focus on the income, the resources and the social security. The Social Policy is provided at the state level through governmental actions and the organization of state and public Welfare bodies, by private and for-profit organizations, community volunteer organizations aiming at social care for people in need and finally by the informal care networks for family and family formations which play an important role in its study and promotion. A social policy entity is "the organization of people and resources under a unified administration for the realization of objective social policy goals" 120. The social policy organizations are the following: I. Public entities. The leading public body is the State which sets the ground rules for the exercise of social policy. II. Private entities: The main private organizations are a) social protection institutions, b) charity associations, c) labour unions that support their members, d) consortiums, e) firms that grant benefits to their staff. III. International bodies: the main ones are: a) the Economic and Social Council of the UN, b) the World Health organization, c) Food and Agriculture Organization, d) the International Labour Organisation. IV. European bodies such as the Council of Europe which aim at a greater unity between its members through co-operation in order the economic and social progress121 to be facilitated. Parameters on which the social integration of immigrants depends The integration of immigrants is a complex process and "is related to several parameters concerning structural elements of both the sending and the host countries of immigrants and the individual features of these displaced persons. It is also linked to official immigration policies and integration strategies adopted and implemented by the host country in order to achieve the smooth function of society which is ensured by social cohesion” 122. The main indicators of the social integration of immigrants are: • Their integration into the labor market of the host country (employment). According to the European Commission "the integration into society is identified with the integration to work."123 Employment 'is a crucial mechanism for the integration of immigrants, not only for economic but also for social reasons.”124 It is very important for the integration of immigrants, the nature of their employment to be associated with their qualifications and skills, the level of their income to be adjusted to the socio-economic background, the labor law to be enforced (social insurance, etc.). Moreover, the development of entrepreneurship and self-employment of immigrants create a climate of acceptance by the host society and ultimately their social inclusion. 119 Vlachadi Μ., (2010), Special Issues of immigration policy- Social policy for child protection in Greece και European Union, Athens: Herodotos, p.15 120 Vlachadi Μ., (2010), Special issues of immigration policy,, p.19 121 Vlachadi Μ., (2010), Special issues of immigration policy,, p.20-21 122 Kasimati Κ. (2009), " The country of origin of female immigrants and their social integration in Greece", Journal «Social Cohesion και Development», volume 4th,issue 1, Spring 2009, p. 8 123 Kasimati Κ. (2009) " The country of origin of female immigrants and their social integration in Greece", p. 9 124 Vlachadi Μ. (2009), Immigration policy of the European Union, p. 104 407 • Accommodation. It is a significant indicator for the evaluation of the integration of immigrants into society and is related to the recognition or not of the legal rights of immigrants, the discrimination they experience in the rental housing market (eg refusal to rent), to the formation of ghettos etc. • The legal or not stay of immigrants in the country is a very important factor for their social integration. The legal residence (legalization) of immigrants is a key mechanism for their integration in the labor market and then for their integration in the host society. "It is commonly accepted that legalization is the key mechanism for the integration of immigrants of all countries of the world. The status of illegal immigrant is the basic typical factor for the exercise and reproduction of any kind of inequality, even in cases where the ground for the development of inequalities is not appropriate"125. • The cycle of their social relationships. When immigrants socialize with people of the local communities, it means that the natives have overcome prejudices and stereotypes and they can coexist and live in peace with them. • The access of immigrants to the Greek services is a crucial indicator that shows the degree of integration of immigrants into Greek society. Their access to the national health system, public education, child day care centers and other social services, as well as agencies such as the Employment Agency, the Police, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, depends on their legal or not immigration and is an important aspect for their social inclusion. • The manifestation or not of racist practices on the part of the host society is also a significant indicator which illustrates the degree of social integration. "In the host countries, the presence of foreigners, especially if they are large in number, negative stereotypes about them have been developed and in a part of the population the view that immigrants are a threat to social cohesion and in extreme cases the purity of the race, is dominant "126. The existence of such perceptions is a hindrance to the integration of immigrants in host societies. Results of research investigating the integration of foreign immigrants in the Municipality of Rethymno In the context of this research, a survey was conducted for the investigation of the social integration of immigrants that reside permanently or seasonally in Rethymno.