Roma doing better in Hungary but more needs to be done, says govt official

Brussels (MTI) – Hungary has notched up major improvements in schooling and meals for Roma children as well as on the job market, the state secretary for social inclusion at the ministry of human resources said on Thursday after a meeting of European Union ministers in charge of employment, social affairs, health and consumer protection in Brussels.

Among the European Union countries with a large Roma community, the Roma employment rate is highest in Hungary and the number of Roma children attending kindergarten is also highest in Hungary, he said, adding, however, that Roma integration should be further accelerated.

All social policy indicators have improved at a faster rate for Roma in Hungary than the national average over the last three years, he said.

The results of integration schemes need to be regularly assessed and those that bring noticeable results should be continued and further developed, he added. He cited the examples of a free textbooks scheme and expanding meals for children in need to include school breaks.

Source: MTI