Socio-economic integration of ethnic Greeks from the former USSR: obstacles to entry into the Greek labour market

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to collect data on the demographic and socio-cultural characteristics of ethnic Greeks from the former USSR and then assess the extent to which these characteristics affect their integration into the Greek labour market. To achieve this target we employ logistic regression analysis to test a model to predict the case of being employed or not by considering various factors as explanatory variables. Afield survey carried out in the broad area of West Athens (total of 6,994 respondents) is used to estimate the parameters of this model. From past experience we identify 13 major variables contributing to employment or not. The results generate an overall model with six of the 13 variables statistically significant. The final part of the paper discusses the policy implications of the findings, particularly the necessity for better professional and language training of the ethnic Greek immigrants from the ex-USSR.