Albanian labour migrants in Greece during the “economic crisis”: labour migrants in Ammouliani and Veroia.

Abstract

This thesis focuses on Albanian migration in Greece during the economic crisis in two districts of Greece, Ammouliani (Chalkidiki) and Veroia (Imathia).It is based on the experiences and the life stories of eight interlocutors in Ammouliani and twelve interlocutors in Veroia. Semi-structured interviews were conducted during July 2013 –October 2013. The main thrust of my analysis is centred around the following questions: If and how the ‘economic crisis’ in Greece has affected the Albanian migrants in Ammouliani and Veroia; if and in what ways do the Albanian migrants retain linkages with their country of origin. According to the findings of my research unemployment, insecurity, exploitation and the growth of negative stereotypes against Albanians are the main problems that most of my interlocutors face under the current socioeconomic situation. Periodically all of my interlocutors are involved in transnational activities. They speak two languages and are the carriers of ideas, beliefs and customs of both societies. Some of them live only for few months in Greece, while the rest of the year they live in Albania and they become part of two different societies