Recent research reveals that only 3% of Croatians are in favor of the presence of foreign workers in their country. A staggering 97% express dissatisfaction or neutrality regarding this issue. The study, conducted in early November by the Institute for Migration Research in partnership with Medianet, surveyed a nationally representative sample of 1,000 adult citizens via telephone.
Survey Results and Public Sentiment
This year, the survey indicates a rise in negative sentiments compared to last year. Approximately 20.63% of respondents reported complete dissatisfaction, an increase from 16.5% in the previous survey. Additionally, 42.16% expressed partial dissatisfaction, and 34.13% remained neutral.
- Completely satisfied: 0.30%
- Partially satisfied: 2.78%
Reasons for Discontent
The leading cause of discontent among respondents is the fear of escalating crime, mentioned by 69.8%. Economic concerns, such as reduced employment opportunities for domestic workers (51.7%) and lowered labor costs (47.7%), are also significant worries. Cultural differences accounted for 48.8% of dissatisfaction, though this concern has lessened compared to previous findings.
Support for Foreign Workers
Among the small minority that supports foreign workers, 87.1% cite cultural diversity as a key benefit. Other positive aspects mentioned include:
- Decreased unemployment: 58.1%
- Increased economic productivity: 48.4%
- Greater availability of services: 19.4%
Social Distance Towards Foreign Workers
For the first time, the survey assessed social distance, revealing a high level of reservation. The results showed that:
- Only 2.4% would accept a foreign worker as a friend.
- 5.7% would accept them as neighbors.
- Approximately 10% would consider them as work colleagues.
This indicates that while some acceptance exists in professional settings, personal relationships remain largely out of reach. Analysis by demographics suggests uniformity in attitudes across gender, age, and education levels. However, unemployed individuals often express more negativity towards foreign workers, emphasizing job security as a primary concern.
Challenges of Integration
Experts warn that integrating foreign workers into Croatian society will be a significant challenge. Ivan Balabanic, head of the research, noted that the prevailing view is to regard foreign workers as temporary labor rather than potential community members. Integration, which requires mutual acceptance of cultural values, appears to be a complex endeavor.
Marina Peric Kaselj, Director of the Institute, highlighted the importance of empirical research in shaping discussions around foreign workers. This type of systematic analysis forms the basis for informed political decisions and effective migration management. Ongoing monitoring of public sentiment and trends is essential for developing sustainable policies regarding foreign labor in Croatia.
