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Racial and Ethnic Inequalities, Health Disparities and Racism in Times of COVID-19 Pandemic Populism in the EU: Unveiling Anti-Migrant Attitudes, Precarious Living Conditions and Barriers to Integration in Greece

Author

Listed:
  • Theodoros Fouskas

    (Department of Public Health Policy, School of Public Health, University of West Attica, 11521 Athens, Greece)

  • George Koulierakis

    (Department of Public Health Policy, School of Public Health, University of West Attica, 11521 Athens, Greece)

  • Fotini-Maria Mine

    (Department of Public Health Policy, School of Public Health, University of West Attica, 11521 Athens, Greece)

  • Athanasios Theofilopoulos

    (Department of Public Health Policy, School of Public Health, University of West Attica, 11521 Athens, Greece)

  • Sofia Konstantopoulou

    (Department of Public Health Policy, School of Public Health, University of West Attica, 11521 Athens, Greece)

  • Fabiola Ortega-de-Mora

    (Department of Education and Social Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, Pablo de Olavide University, 41013 Seville, Spain)

  • Dimitrios Georgiadis

    (Department of Public Health Policy, School of Public Health, University of West Attica, 11521 Athens, Greece)

  • Georgia Pantazi

    (Department of Public Health Policy, School of Public Health, University of West Attica, 11521 Athens, Greece)

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact particularly on the most vulnerable populations, including immigrants, asylum seekers and refugees in the EU. The article depicts the results of the comparative research project “Local Alliance for Integration (LION/GSRI/University of West Attica/81018): Migrant and Refugee integration into local societies in times of the COVID-19 pandemic in Spain and Greece” implementing a qualitative methodology. This article analyses via 32 in-depth interviews the experiences of immigrants, asylum seekers and refugees in Greece, the increased barriers towards integration due to racial and ethnic inequalities, precarity and health disparities during this period which function as a means of perpetuating exclusion in five sectors: (a) formal employment, (b) healthcare, (c) formal education and language training, (d) housing and social care/protection, and (e) intercultural coexistence as well as the new rise of a hostile rhetoric and anti-migrant attitudes under a COVID-19 pandemic populism. The unravelling of the narratives revealed perceptions and practices of inequality and uncertainty as well as of hope. The socioeconomic impact of the pandemic on immigrants, asylum seekers and refugees, similarities and differences that occurred and evidence of the ongoing obstacles they encountered during the pandemic are presented. Policy and practice implications include the implementation of prevention measures by the institutions that are tasked with the responsibility to remove hindrances, address unequal treatment, racial/ethnic and social inequalities and raise awareness on multiple ways in which the COVID-19 pandemic has intensified vulnerability.

Suggested Citation

  • Theodoros Fouskas & George Koulierakis & Fotini-Maria Mine & Athanasios Theofilopoulos & Sofia Konstantopoulou & Fabiola Ortega-de-Mora & Dimitrios Georgiadis & Georgia Pantazi, 2022. "Racial and Ethnic Inequalities, Health Disparities and Racism in Times of COVID-19 Pandemic Populism in the EU: Unveiling Anti-Migrant Attitudes, Precarious Living Conditions and Barriers to Integrati," Societies, MDPI, vol. 12(6), pages 1-22, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsoctx:v:12:y:2022:i:6:p:189-:d:1003583
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Francesco Fasani & Jacopo Mazza, 2023. "Being on the Frontline? Immigrant Workers in Europe and the COVID-19 Pandemic," ILR Review, Cornell University, ILR School, vol. 76(5), pages 890-918, October.
    2. Zelalem Mengesha & Esther Alloun & Danielle Weber & Mitchell Smith & Patrick Harris, 2022. "“Lived the Pandemic Twice”: A Scoping Review of the Unequal Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Asylum Seekers and Undocumented Migrants," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(11), pages 1-16, May.
    3. Claudia Tazreiter & Simon Metcalfe, 2021. "New Vulnerabilities for Migrants and Refugees in State Responses to the Global Pandemic, COVID-19," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 10(9), pages 1-15, September.
    4. Fiona Murphy, 2021. "Direct Provision, Rights and Everyday Life for Asylum Seekers in Ireland during COVID-19," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 10(4), pages 1-12, April.
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