France cancels payments to Romani migrants in exchange for their departure

The online news server of the French political weekly Le Point reports that on 7 December the French Government announced it had abolished the financial aid it had been giving to migrant Romani people who agree to return to their country of origin. The change concerns mainly Romani people from Romania, whose country is an EU member but is not yet included in the Schengen area providing for the free movement of people within the EU.

"Civic associations and NGOs believe this practice has negative effects. It is helping create a sort of ongoing tour cycle between our country and Romania. We will be changing this ineffective measure," the weekly quoted French Interior Minister Manuel Valls as saying.

In recent years, France has been providing EUR 300 to each foreign Romani adult and EUR 100 for each foreign Romani minor who stays in France longer than three months and ends up in an onerous financial and living situation. However, despite this practice, there are still around 17 500 Romani migrants in the country because those who are deported systematically return.

The minister stressed that the French authorities will continue to liquidate illegal Romani campsites. However, he also confirmed that ways will be sought to employ some Romani immigrants in France and integrate them into society in line with a promise made by the Socialist government after it came to power this spring.