The German media are comparing the Minsk II with the Dayton Peace Accords and pointing out to the statement by Lavrov that the world wants “Another Bosnia” in Ukraine. The media also write about successful integration of BiH refugees.
According to Der Standard, one trend catches the eye: Bosnians have done very well on the labor market. This becomes clear when comparisons are made with other groups of migrants such as Serbs or Turks. Search for reasons begins in the office of labor market analysis expert, August Gaechter.
“War refugees from BiH are an inimitable group of migrants, when it comes to integration in Austria. One of important reasons for that is the fact that they have brought quite good education with them. According to the data of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), twice as many Bosnians in Austria have finished school and are educated more than what is elementary and obligatory, in comparison with Turks. The quota is also significantly higher in comparison with those with Serbian passport. In addition to that, many Bosnians deal with professions which are characteristic of middle class in Austria, i.e. crafts. Precisely these professions are highly demanded on the Austrian labor market,” Gaechter said and added that this helped Bosnians a lot.
“In addition to better education, another thing strikes the eye. Significant credit for a good status of Bosnians on the labor market can be given to the women. A much larger number of women is employed in comparison with other female migrants, especially Turkish women. That may be surprising at first. More than half of war refugees from BiH are Muslims, which is immediately associated with inferior position and lack of rights of women. However, that was a part of everyday life in Yugoslavia – women went to work.”
Norwegian sociologist Marko Valenta analyzed Bosnian diaspora throughout the world.
“I got the same picture everywhere. Bosnian women are integrated on the labor market a lot better than many other female migrants. This, in turn, results in Bosnians families having more money”.
Valenta highlighted another aspect. The getaway led to the shifting of boundaries between genders. Both men and women had to learn language and take care of the paperwork. Another thing that facilitated the integration of Bosnians was the mood in Austria at the time.
“Sympathy and readiness to help the BiH refugees were great. Along with that, it was easier for Bosnians to obtain working permits.”
If comparisons are made with the situation with refugees from the nineties, one thing is evident: there is nothing in favor of possible copying of the Bosnian model.
(Source: fokus.ba)
