A cooperation project of the National Roma Government and Budapest and county government offices has enabled 100 citizens of Roma origin to start working as in district offices from 1 July 2013. The employment of staff of Roma origin in district offices, the smallest territorial units of public administration, may make administrative matters easier and simpler for all Roma citizens in the future.

In their work, the Roma employees will primarily act as intermediaries between public administration and citizens of Roma origin. Accordingly, they will mainly be responsible for mediating and communicating the State’s priority objectives and the opportunities it offers to the Roma community. In addition, the employment of staff of Roma origin may largely promote the successful handling of administration on behalf of people of Roma ethnic origin and hence their integration into society with greater ease.

In order to learn the skills required for their work, Roma employees have completed vocational training within the project State Reform Operative Program 1.2.7. “Organisational Development of Government Offices”. The training aims at providing basic knowledge in public administration which may also contribute to efficiency within the area of customer services, their integration into the official organisation and due familiarity with groups of cases that are particularly relevant for the receptionist programme, as well as to efficient communication with official staff and clients. The courses were held in a total of 7 locations (Budapest, Eger, Debrecen, Pécs, Szeged, Székesfehérvár, Szombathely) on 30 and 31 July 2013.

The ultimate purpose of employing people of Roma origin is to make them an important part of the organisational system of government offices so that they contribute to government objectives that are aimed at the further expansion of employment and at affording citizens equal opportunities in access to public services.

(Ministry of Public Administration and Justice)