I am 39 years old and I am from Bulgaria. I have been in Greece since 2005 and I have an EU membership card. In 2011, we Bulgarians started to have rights as members of an EU state.
It used to be harder to find a job because of the language. There was access to farming, cleaning, kitchen, elderly care jobs. To work I had to know the language, that was the most important thing. I learned it through work. There was a language center, but I didn’t go. In the past with the salary they gave you lived well, today you get the same money as before, but life is more expensive and money is not enough, especially when you have a child. The issue is generalised. No training is provided in terms of work, everyone learns on their own.
Before Bulgaria joined the EU, I had no papers. I had arrived irregularly in the country by car, with only a passport. I worked without papers and without security. When I had to go to the hospital and told them I had no papers, they let me go without paying. When I went to Heraklion for surgery, I was referred to the Region of Crete for a paper issue and I did not pay the cost of the operation.
I found home and support through acquaintances. The laws have changed, they are more demanding. Landlords pay less rent, so I may not have access to the rent allowance.
I believe I can’t access education because I have a problem with my eyes. I don’t know the procedures for the education system. I do not know what applies to the recognition of studies. My child goes to school normally, like Greek citizens.
We need to have more help. Since we are consistent with our obligations, help us, not only make demands of us. Since we live here, we must have rights as if it were our homeland. It is important for us, who have lived here for many years and do not have citizenship, to participate in the electoral processes, because government decisions affect us as well. I would like to be able to participate in the elections, because to tell you the truth, those who govern us now do not like me at all. It is important that there is work for everyone and that there is no racism and discrimination.
