The measure is consistent with the Europe 2020 Strategy, in particular the flagship initiatives “European platform against poverty and social exclusion“ and “An Agenda for New Skills and new Jobs”. It aims to tackle the high unemployment rate amongst Roma people by supporting their integration into the labour market.

In addition, it is in line with the Employment Guidelines to increase labour market participation amongst disadvantaged groups, the EU Framework for National Roma Integration Strategy and other instruments such as the European Social Fund (ESF) implemented to promote social inclusion.

Before the economic crisis, the boom in the construction sector absorbed a significant number of migrant workers, including Roma people. In 2010 the Roma population in Spain was estimated to be between 600,000 and 700,000. This group has historically suffered from proportionally high unemployment rates and unstable employment conditions compared to the rest of the population. In 2005 Roma people’s unemployment rate was approximately 14%, a proportion almost double that of the general population (8%). Additionally, 71% of Roma workers were in temporary employment compared to 25% of the general population.

In the context of the 2008 economic crisis the employment conditions of Roma people worsened and their unemployment rate increased more than among the general population. In 2009 the Roma population experienced a 35% reduction in employment contracts (either permanent or short-term contracts) in comparison to an 18% overall decline in Spain. In 2012, Roma unemployment rate rose to 36.4% compared to 20.4% of the general population.

These figures include only Roma people with a formal contract; therefore, the number of Roma workers in non-regular employment who exit the labour market is likely to be much higher.

Compared to other ethnic groups, Roma people tend to have higher employment rates as they enter the labour market earlier than others. This however means that they leave the school system earlier and have a generally lower educational level than other ethnic groups. Consequently, the low-skilled Roma people are also more likely to work in poor and discriminatory working conditions.

Given the highly marginalised labour market situation of this group, the Spanish social protection system has led an inclusive approach to the Roma population, and civil society organisations have mobilised targeted measures to integrate them into the labour market.

Given the large share of Roma people in Spain and their marginalised position in the labour market, the main goal of the Acceder Programme was to support their transitions to employment and long term reintegration into the labour market.

The programme offered individualised and tailored support, training and counselling to improve the employability of this group.

Companies were also targeted with the aim of changing employers’ perception and attitudes towards this group.

The integration of Roma people into the labour market is a complex issue. This ethnic group, more than others, face a number of challenges including levels of education, lack of professional qualification and working experience; in addition to existence of prejudices and stereotypes from employers and the community in general. Therefore, the programme entailed a multidimensional approach.

The main measures implemented comprised:

• Establishing links between Roma persons and companies;
• Vocational training courses to increase  participants employability; and,
• Individualised and tailored employment plans.

The programme facilitated the creation of links between Roma people and companies with the aim of concluding an employment contract or giving the opportunity of an apprenticeship in the company. The vocational training courses were appropriate in terms of increasing the likelihood of beneficiaries gaining employment, considering that almost 34% of Roma people in Spain were totally unskilled. Additionally, individualised employment plans aimed at identifying appropriate training provision for each participant, taking into account personal needs and labour market demand.

The measure led to an increase in the labour market participation of Roma people.

• Between 2001 and 2013* more than 50,000 employment contracts between beneficiaries and companies have been signed.
• From 2001 to 2013* 17.568 companies employed beneficiaries from the Acceder programme. Employment contracts were distributed amongst the following beneficiaries:

• 70% of the employment contracts were concluded between companies and Roma persons;
• 52% of the employment contracts were concluded between companies and Roma women; and,
• 27% of the employment contracts were concluded with persons who entered the labour market for the first time.

Since the programme targeted citizens with difficult social backgrounds (e.g. unemployment, poor health, deprived households etc…) the measures also included a proportion of non-Roma people. Therefore, from 2001 to 2013* the total number of beneficiaries was 73.630, the largest group comprised Roma people (49.639) and female beneficiaries (39.082).

Until 2013* a total of 18.505 beneficiaries had received training through the programme, and 2.114 courses had been conducted.

*Updated data to first semester of 2013.