Albanian emigration in Greece, the social consequences of the crisis, especially in their own pensions

Albanian emigration in Greece, the social consequences of the crisis, especially in their own pensions Phd Candidate Violeta Neza 1 Dr Blerim Kola 2 1 University Aleksander Moisiu Durres, e-mail: nezaleta@hotmail.com 2 University Aleksander Moisiu Durres, e-mail: blekola@yahoo.com Abstract. Albanian immigration originated in the XV century, where a number of about 200 thousand Albanians moved to Italy, Greece. The period when emigration took considerable dimension, was after 1990, with the collapse of the communist regime. There has never been accurate statistics on the number of Albanian emigrants in Greece, but it is thought that in this country are about 600 thousand Albanians resident. Of course there is a mismatch between immigrants who are really in Greece and those of residency permits. Albanian immigrants represent 63.7% of the total immigrant population documented in Greece. A large part of Albanian immigrants have worked informally, which has its own consequences in the contingent of immigrants who meet the conditions for retirement in the Greek state or on their own country. In this paper we will present a picture of the Albanian immigration, its impact on the Greek economy and the consequences of the crisis of this country for Albanian immigrants, especially in income for retirement. This analysis will be performed by using and nterpreting the secondary data published by different institutions such as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), INSTAT, ELSTAT etc. The study findings show that one of the most common phenomenon is the return of Albanian emigrants and their confronting with difficulties in employment, children's education, housing, pension benefit conditions etc. Only a small part of of them use the experiences and savings accumulated in neighboring country especially on the possibility of developing new business in Albania. We finally present some suggestions and conclusions related to this study. Key words: Immigration, crisis, working, benefit, economy. INTRODUCTION

Not officially confirmed data show that today in the world live about 15 million Albanians. Albanian emigration has started with the invasion of Albania after the death of Skanderbeg, in the XV century, where a number of about 200 thousand Albanians moved to Italy and Greece. We can not talk about external migration for the years 1945 to 1990, after the communist regime, this phenomenon was not known. Attempts to escape from Albania, was considered treason. Cases were very limited and can not be counted as migration. The period when emigration took considerable proportions, was after 1990, with the collapse of the communist regime. Another Albanian emigration on a large scale is that of '96-'97 years after the collapse of pyramid schemes, where their main destinations were Italy and Greece. After 2000, immigration is organized as a result of unification of families, or employment contracts. However, illegal immigration continued, even during the Kosovo war. The biggest share in this migration, despite a worldwide spread, occupied two neighboring countries, Greece and Italy, where it is placed over 80 percent of total immigration. The results of the population census of 2011, state their number of population in the country resulted in 2,800,138, while the population of the registered in the register of civil status was 4,271,396, so the remainder, about 1 million 400 thousand, are immigrants, who make up about 33.3 percent of the registered population. Here are some data on the number of Albanians in the world in recent years. Table: Albanians in the World State Number Austria 4,000 Belgium 5,000 United Kingdom 50,000 Greece 600,000 Germany 15,000 Holand 1,000 Italy 500,000 Canada 20,000 U.S.A 150,000 Turkey 5,000 Switzerland 1,500 Source: Albanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Graphically :

Source: Albanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs 2. Immigration in Greece Although there has been no accurate statistics about the number of immigrants in Greece,, it is believed that in this country are about 600 thousand Albanians resident. Of course there is a discrepancy between immigrants who are really in Greece and those of a residence permit. From an analysis of immigration in Greece, from 912,000 immigrants in total from all nationalities who had a residence permit in 2011, in 2014, there are 449 889 immigrants in total with a residence permit ( this figure does not include citizens of EU countries and those of newly accepted to the EU, as Bulgaria, Romania, Cyprus, Poland, Germany). In 2014, significantly reduced the number of emigrants to a residence permit, to a figure of 178,703 immigrants, with a reduction of about 37%. Despite the sharp reduction, the Albanian community in the country occupies a total of 67 percent of the total number of immigrants without a residence permit. The main direction of the labor force is self-employed in Greece, which is three times the average in the EU, including the agricultural sector, family business on a small scale and the existence of a large informal economy. In fact, the informal economy of Greece constitutes approximately 30% of its GDP, this percentage among the highest in Europe. This informal economy needs workers cheap, unskilled to survive (agricultural work and heavy industrial to men immigrants and housekeeping, cleaning, and care for immigrant women), while those in Greece are not willing to

accept work in these sectors, as they prefer to continue to study at university until they find work to a higher status. The level of unemployment in Greece reached a mass of 24.6 percent in September 2015 from 25.1 percent that was in August 2015, being the highest in Europe For young people 16-24 years of age, the unemployment rate is 48.6 percent in extent (according to ELSTAT ottober) A large part of Albanian immigrants have been working in informal jobs. This phenomenon indicates that according to data from the Greek Social Insurance Institute (IKA), the number of Albanian citizens insured in 2009 was 121.902, while at the end of 2013, the number has fallen to 85.893. The largest decline was observed in the construction sector. Albanians make up 63.7% of the total immigrant population recorded in Greece. Labour income of undocumented foreign migrants are estimated to make up about 24% of Greece's GDP. Many illegal immigrants do not see Greece as their final destination, but plan to work only to raise sufficient funds to move to other EU countries. Legal immigration in Greece according to the residences permit IMMIGRANTS Immigrants valid residence permit Census 2011 Dec 2011 June 2014 State Number Percent Albania 480,851 52.72 388,666 302,148 Bulgary 75,917 8.32 Rumania 46,524 5.1 Pakistan 34,178 3.75 16,974 15,129 Georgia 27,407 3.01 16,577 15,549 Ukraine 17,008 1.86 20,264 17,203 UK 15,388 1.69 Ciprus 14,448 1.58 Poland 14,145 1.55 Russia 13,809 1.51 13,454 12,605 India 11,333 1.24 13,639 11,995 Bangladesh 11,076 1.21 6,100 5,598 Germany 10,782 1.18 Egypt 10,455 1.15 13,629 10,747 Moldova 10,391 1.14 11,480 8,488 Philippines 9,807 1.08 9,633 8,612 Armenia 8,113 0.89 5,910 5,536 Siria 7,628 0.84 7,394 5,739 Afghanistan 6,911 0.76 216 147 USA 5,773 0.63 2,194 2,033 Other 80,056 8.78 28,360 Total 912,000 526,130 449,889 Note: In the above statement taken by ELSTAT (Greek Statistical Institute), in 2011 and 2014 are not marked the not accepted countries in EU.

- Having lost jobs, greatly exacerbated their social problems by facing them with the impossibility of living. - A good part of the immigrants residing in Greece, conditional on children's schools and other problems that have lost their jobs, are consuming the savings collected over the years in exile, - Are in risk migrant savings in Greek banks in Greece, these estimated savings are thought to be 2 billion 300 million. - Albanian businesses are at risk in Greece, although in limited numbers. - Having seniority contributions in both Albania and Greece, do not qualify for pension benefits as in Greece, which should be no less than 4,500 days (equivalent to 15 full years), as well as in Albania, requiring 15 years seniority contributory pension to take a more symbolic. - The decline in remittances undoubtedly creates social problems taking into consideration that 160,000 families in need have been held with remittances. It must be said that remittances from Greece, constituting 3.7 percent of GDP in our country. Below, we present data on remittances by year: 8% 1% 7% 2% 2% 36% 44% Greece Italy Macedonia Montenegro United Kindom USA Other Remittances in millione Eur Year 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 Remittance 693.1 774 774 802 937 951.7 833.3 781.3 689.8 665 675 543.8 591.9

Source: Bank of Albania Remitttances in Albania 2002-2014 1.000,00 900,00 800,00 700,00 600,00 500,00 2002200320042005200620072008200920102011201220132014 Source: Bank of Albania The consequences of the crisis for the Albanian immigration - Aggravated crisis has brought, the return of many immigrants. Just these past 5 years have returned about 160 thousand immigrants, where 90 percent are returns from Greece. Return of immigrants in our country, where unemployment is high (16.9 percent according to INSTAT), unemployment rose further by increased social problems that currently are substantial. - There will be other social problems in terms of housing, because of sold apartments in Albania, education of children who are not familiar with our education system, or do not know the Albanian language well, etc. - Leaves more and more time to conclude an agreement for mutual recognition and aggregation vjetërsive their contributions. This represents indeed a major setback for Albanian immigrants in Greece, constituting a very high number. The difficult situation that is facing Europe as a result of the economic crisis has caused a large number of migrants to return to Albania. In the last 5-6 years, they returned to 133.737 thousand immigrants, of whom around 33 thousand from 90 thousand from Italy and Greece. Return of immigrants and legal obstacles for benefits in Albania

Immigrants returned in 2009 2013, according to age Age Returnees 18-24 19.787 25-29 26.428 30-34 20.97 35-39 14.247 40-44 12.09 45-49 9.817 50-54 9.792 55-59 7.524 60-64 4.342 over 65 8.347 Source: INSTAT, Labour Force Survey, Q4-2014 Huge problem of return migration, employment, and livelihood security. In terms of high unemployment and in our country (currently 17 percent, from INSTAT in second quarter of the year 2015) immigrants find it difficult to find a job. Under Albanian law was not given financial assistance to those families who have family members in immigration, no matter if they are or not employed. Besides the immigrants also face legal difficulties in terms of profitability of different types of pensions. These difficulties include: - There can be full pension benefit when they did not meet the contributory period of 35 years (plus bonuses in years). Being left the country, returning migrants have almost impossible to meet 35 years of insurance (+ additions by year according to the law 104/2014), because for a long time contributed to the countries where they were residents and not were they are present. - You may require reduced pension because they have a contributory seniority, not less than 35 years (plus allowances). - It is difficult to receive social pension, as required, in the past five years have been residing in Albania. Measures of social pension is equal to the minimum income provided by partial age pension to 15 years provided with the minimum wage, calculated on the date 31.12.2014. Measures of social pension for people who have

income from other sources, will be the difference of the social pension as the other income that the beneficiary. - With the reform of the social insurance system of Albania are creating difficulties for the benefit of pension for disability, because it is required that in the past 5 years before the disease have not less than 1 year old, contributions and seniority in total three-quarters of the difference in age with the number 20 (from half of this difference that was before the reform) In this way immigrants retirement age, subject to partial pension, often completing seniority contributory voluntary insurance payments. Likewise, in the countries where they live and work, no pension, because they do not qualify for a contributory old age required by the respective legislation of these countries. Based on these facts a good part not find sustenance and not integrated in Albania, addressing immigration again. C O N L U S I O N S Contempt of immigration issues, hurting not only the contingent of immigrants, but rather the country's economic and social problems, currently significant. The role of immigration in the performance of the economy and social problems facing the economy has been unquestionable. The opening of new businesses and new employment, to a certain extent would improve the social security scheme, after increasing the number of contributors. It is imperative that the Albanian legislation to draft legal acts and regulations in their care, such as employment, social security, housing, education, etc., as is 1/3 of its citizens abroad The withdrawal of savings from Greek banks and their deposit in our banks as deposits and loans, can promote activation of enough funds, giving an impulse banking activity. It is necessary the presence of the state and support for this category of citizens through social protection policies, promoting employment, through funding and special projects on favorable terms, as the drafting of laws to support their R E C O M M E N D A T I O N S: The government does not have to account migration, as people move out of his responsibility, but as an integral part of the more important, who have given and give extraordinary contribution to the development of the country. State institutions, social organizations and other accounts of the benefits of EU membership should not be only for the favor and funding that will have, but to consider economic social conditions that create migrants duration of membership by deprived of the right to a pension benefit, ie the basis that their lifestyle. However, since the period up to accession to the EU can be relatively long, efforts for the conclusion of bilateral agreements, should be made by all stakeholders state, social, and political, that and the Albanian citizens, treated as well as citizens other Europeans.

The opportunity should be the opening of new businesses through contingent of immigrants that come with qualifications or experience in various fields, using their savings or bank loans. Returning migrants should be used as opportunities to develop agricultural economies, which are often removed from Albanian farmers, due to emigration. REFERENCES: - INSTAT Census 2011 - Statistical Dossier immigrazione - Caritas / Migrantes, Italian Interior Ministry and Istat - "Return Migration and reintegration in Albania, 2013" - Difficult reintegration of returned emigrants (N. Balluku) - Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Albanians around the world) - Web - ISS - International Relations - Law No. 104/2014 - "On amendments and additions to the Law 7703, dated 11.05.1993" On Social Insurance in the Republic of Albania " - Law no. 7703 dated 11.05.1993, "On Social Insurance in the Republic of Albania", as amended. - IKA - Social Security Organisation in Greece - Rando Devole - Beyond the economic crisis - Prof. Anna Triandafyllidou (Global Governance Programme, the European University Institute) Developmenst Recent Migration in Greece in 2014 www.instat.gov.al www.bankofalbania.org www.instat.gov.al http://www.statistics.gr/web/guest http://www.punetejashtme.gov.al/ Websites