I am from Romania and I have been in Greece since 2003. As a citizen of an EU state, my stay here was legal. I am married to a Greek.
When I came to Greece, it was easy to find a job because my aunt, who was already here, helped me. I worked with her and she helped me communicate, so language wasn’t a barrier at first. I learned Greek on my own within four months, I read very well, although sometimes I get a little confused. There was no language program for immigrants back then. I haven’t been particularly involved in writing because I didn’t go to school.
The jobs I could do were mainly in agriculture and cleaning. In the beginning I had two jobs to make ends meet. My dream has always been to become a nurse and help people. Today, I work as a cleaner in the hospital, and I feel that, even in this way, I am helping people. There was no help or training to get a job, and in the hospital there was only training on infectious products management, but not on cleanliness – we all know that from home. At work, if you’re good, they don’t care where you’re from. However, I always went with my husband when I had to settle my documents, because I was afraid of receiving racist insults if I didn’t know something, since there was racism in society in general.
Since I have legal residence documents, I also have insurance normally. However, service in public hospitals is very indifferent and there is great inconvenience due to lack of staff. When I need exams, I prefer to go to private institutions. There is a difference in treatment between Greek and foreign patients.
I could have continued my education at night school, but I haven’t dealt with it. In my life I have never had the opportunity to receive an education.
I believe that allowances should be given to families with many children. In Romania, every child receives a monthly allowance, regardless of the family’s financial situation, because it is considered a child’s right, like a small pocket money. Something similar should be true in Greece. It is very important to have jobs and security for migrants. Training for certain professions should also be provided. Online services do not help much, because many people do not have the necessary knowledge to use them properly. But there are groups that provide help to families, such as milk, clothes, diapers and toys. Also, the Municipality sometimes offers clothes.
There should be a Romanian club in Chania. If there was a Romanian club here, I would love to be a member.
