The multifunctional role of migrants in the Greek countryside: implications for the rural economy and society

Over recent years Southern European countries have experienced a massive arrival of migrants, becoming net migrant receivers and permanent destinations of migratory flows. For Greece immigration is a substantial new phenomenon, with flows originating primarily from Central and Eastern European countries. It is estimated that the migrant population has grown to approximately 10 per cent of the national and nearly 15 per cent of the economically active population. The extensive and uncontrolled entry of migrants into the country has increased especially rapidly the settlement and employment of this labour force in rural areas. This paper aims at examining the various aspects of the multifunctional roles migrants play in the rural economy and society of Greece, and the reactions of rural Greek people towards them. It draws on field research involving both qualitative and quantitative methods. Findings are presented around three axes: first, the implications of migrant employment for the operation of the farm and the farm household; second, the wider implications migrant employment has for local labour markets and the maintenance of the economic and social cohesion of rural societies; and third, the attitudes of local populations towards the migrants.