The percentage of Roma whose salaries and other incomes decreased during the covid-19 pandemic in North Macedonia is 59, in contrast to the regional average, which is around 50 percent. There was an increase in income, on the other hand, for only one percent

Every second Roma in the Western Balkans has had their income reduced during the covid-19 pandemic, and the majority (64 percent) fear that they will lose their jobs in the next 12 months.

On the other hand, online teaching is more difficult for every second Roma child compared to teaching with physical presence, and even three out of four Roma children did not receive help during online lectures, both from their teachers and classmates.

These are part of the results of the research presented today at the regional conference on the socioeconomic impact of covid-19 on Roma from the Western Balkans, organized by the Roma Integration Project of the Council for Regional Cooperation (SRS).

Education and employment are the two areas where the pandemic has most affected this population.

According to the conclusions of the analysts in the project, it is evident that anti-Roma sentiment is on the rise on the Internet.

"The trend of normalizing hate speech against Roma continues. Today, such speech is spread not only by members of ultra-right groups, but also by "ordinary" people or political parties," say Selma Muhic Dizdarevic and Jitka Votavova, authors of a study on anti-Gypsyism.

"Fake news, fraud and manipulation are used as instruments to spread hatred. The trend of so-called humorous racism is also on the rise, creating a combination of irony, mockery and humiliation that is particularly attractive to young people," the authors say.

They add that the trend of relativizing or openly denying the historical facts related to the genocide against the Roma during the Second World War continues.

"There are often accusations that there is a special kind of 'Roma crime' or that Roma have an advantage over other residents," the report said, citing fraud related to free medicine or higher social benefits for Roma.

Link: https://www.portal-udar.net/analiza-stanja-u-evropi-drustvene-mreze-pune-mrznje-i-predrasuda-prema-romima/