The Romanian labour market is still confronted by discrimination based on gender, race, age and handicap, reads a poll conducted by the ‘Avangarde’ Group of Socio-Behavioral Studies, for the Romanian Union of All Students (UNSR), quoted by the ‘Jurnalul National’ newspaper.
Some 47 pc of subjects believe this form of discrimination is frequent in Romania, while 44 pc say that, after the accession to the European Union, discrimination stayed at the same level as before. According to subjects, the media still does not reflect the issue appropriately and the NGOs that should fight discrimination are missing. 65 pc say they witnessed at least one incident of someone being discriminated in the hiring process or at work, while 35 pc say they tried to get involved in solving this situation. Meanwhile, 42 pc of subjects said they prefer male employees, only 23 pc would fill a vacant job with a woman, and 27 pc are neutral. According to the poll results, Romanians know very well the problems encountered in finding a job by people aged over 40, handicapped people, pregnant women and women in general, despite the ongoing governmental projects that should defend these underprivileged categories.
Speaking about maternity, most respondents (51 pc) think mothers should stay at home with children and only 3 pc believe fathers to be better suited for this activity. 41 pc of subjects also admit that women are working longer hours than men and 82 pc believe women should retire earlier.
