The economist reports that jobless Albanians in Greece have begun to return to their homeland. In Greece, there has been much anecdotal evidence of Albanians going home, but few statistics have emerged.
Edmond Haxhinasto, Albania’s foreign minister, says only a few have returned. Still, Ms. Hystuna, a teacher, says that “a lot of people have left, a lot plan to leave and everyone is talking about it.” In the past many Albanians lived and worked in Greece illegally, but most of them now have residence permits. Yet those who lose their jobs may also lose their permits, forcing them either to return home or to stay illegally, the Economist says.
Moreover the Economist emphasizes that Albanians have mostly integrated well. Their children often speak better Greek than Albanian; many need language classes before going back to Albania.
Many Albanians in Greece are transferring savings to banks at home, fearful of what might happen if Greece leaves the euro zone. Some Greek companies have also begun to set up firms in Albania run by trusted Albanians who worked for them in Greece. So far, the effects of being a tiny economy largely dependent on recession-hit Greece and Italy have been negative but not disastrous. Yet as more Albanians move back, they will find jobs (and decent wages) scarce even at home, the newspaper concludes.
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