Description of the situation

The integration of the Roma into the French society is very complicated. In every area (employment, health, education, housing), the Roma face discrimination and do not have the same opportunities as non-Roma people.

As it was said before, many Roma are the victims of discrimination. This discrimination comes from various people (people in the street, authorities, institutions ...) and are  visible in various forms (physical and verbal abuse, the denial of access to different services ...).

This discrimination is generally based on the ethnicity of the people.

This discrimination demonstrates the difficulties of integration and equal opportunities that the Roma people face in France.

Concerning housing, Roma people are often housed in settlements, away from the rest of the population. To find healthy housing for them usually requests quite lengthy procedures.

Regarding employment, Roma people clearly do not have the same opportunities as non-Roma people. Discrimination is very strong and the way to finding a job is generally "full of pitfalls".

In terms of health and social cover in France, even if the social minima are generally received, procedures are often very long and the access to care services is very difficult.

Schooling, which could be one of the key factors for the integration of the youth, has very low rates within the Roma communities. Indeed, the living conditions, household economics and discrimination do not promote the schooling of Roma children in French schools. Thus, from the earliest age, Roma children remain excluded and can not be naturally integrated.

To all of these obstacles, the difficulties related to language, economic difficulties and cultural differences are added that make the integration of the Roma even more complicated.

In addition, a lot of work must be done in terms of the awareness of the legislation on non-discrimination, particularly in the field of employment.

A study conducted by the FRA and the UNDP in 2013 has helped highlighting the fact that many people of Roma origins do not know the existence of the law prohibiting discrimination against the people from ethnic minorities applying for a job.

References:

Reding, V., Hahn, J., L. Andor, 2012. The situation of Roma in 11 EU Member States results in brief surveys. investigation report, European Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA), UNDP, 2012, 36p.