site.btaGurmen Conflict May Be Ethnic But It Is Rooted in Poverty, Labour Minister Says

Gurmen Conflict May Be Ethnic But It Is Rooted in Poverty, Labour Minister Says

Sofia, June 2 (BTA) - Labour and Social Policy Minister Ivailo
Kalfin wrote on his Facebook page that the conflict in Gurmen
Municipality, Southwestern Bulgaria, may be ethnic but it is
rooted in poverty, which is found both among the Roma and the
ethnic Bulgarians in the area. "Therefore, the solutions to the
situation should not be ethnic, nor should they be legalistic,"
Kalfin wrote.

What started as a row between residents of Gurmen Municipality
and Roma people over a trivial issue on May 23 caused serious
tension in the following few days and brought to light a
conflict which had simmered for many years. Four people were
injured in the ensuing clashes and eight were arrested. Local
people claim they are often victimized by thieving Roma, many of
whom live in unlawful homes built in the last few years.

Kalfin noted in his remarks that adherence to the law in itself
cannot reduce poverty in the area. "What can we expect of people
who have their backs against the wall and have no escape? They
do not care how important it is for their children to attend
school or for themselves to register at the job centre. They
need to eat, and they need to do it today. Nor do they care
about what would otherwise be relevant calls to refrain from
having children unless they can provide for them."

Nothing will be achieved by demolishing the illegal homes of the
Roma in Gurmen, because such a measure will only make them
"homeless, hungry, and persecuted outcasts" and "a threat to all
residents in the municipality," he said.

"What needs to be done is get the government and society to wake
up and begin a joint, arduous, and unswerving struggle against
poverty," Kalfin said. He added that poverty can be addressed by
curbing inequality and invigorating the economy.

He said that, as Minister of Labour and Social Policy, he is
doing everything to increase the lowest incomes and provide job
opportunities for the unemployed. "But this is not enough," he
wrote. "It is necessary to have fair taxation, a functioning
economy, and an efficient public administration. These are all
things which society must demand and earn for itself."

Kalfin also said that the Roma neighbourhood in Gurmen has a
population of 769, and 140 of them receive poverty benefits and
173 receive child benefits. The community has 146 school-goers.
Fourteen of their kids have been placed under special oversight
because they were found to lack proper care. Those Roma who have
no registered residence cannot receive welfare benefits. In the
summer, the Roma in the neighbourhood eke out a living by
picking herbs and mushrooms, Kalfin wrote.