The measures for migrant integration Lithuania is implementing are seen as less favourable for immigrants living in the country and also incoming immigrants, according to the study presented on Monday by the Migration Policy Group and the Barcelona Centre for International Affairs.
According to the Lithuanian Social Research Centre, the aim of the study was to identify actions the governments of EU and OECD members are taking to promote integration of migrants.
The study evaluated and compared integration policies in eight areas, including labour market mobility, family reunion, education, health, political participation, permanent residence, access to nationality and anti-discrimination.
Experts say that due to the policy Lithuania is implementing, the country’s labour market is not attractive to migrants who want to stay in the country and integrate. Schools are poorly prepared to accept immigrants’ children as they lack basic infrastructure. Immigrants don’t have equal access to general health services. Moreover, such people’s right to participating in the country’s political life is restricted as they cannot join political parties and associations. Finally, immigrants have to go a long and complicated way to become citizens.
Lithuania ranked 27th out of 31 in 2011 in the MIPEX index.
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