Travellers have traditionally carried out a range of economic activities including market stalls, recycling, tin-smithing, seasonal labour and door-to-door selling. Legislation that has restricted nomadism and economic changes have impacted significantly on the ability to carry out many of these activities.
These changes have lefty Travellers much more reliant on the mainstream labour market.
- Studies show a significant portion of the general public admit to being unwilling to employ a Traveller. This bias often occurs at the resume or interview stage.
- Once hired, Travellers frequently face harassment or pressure to hide their ethnic identity to remain employed or avoid social exclusion.
- This widespread discrimination contributes to disproportionately high unemployment rates and forces many into the informal economy or self-employment
- According to the 2016 Census, Traveller unemployment rates were as high as 80 per cent, compared to 13% in the general population
This disadvantage in employment contributes to the levels of inequalities in health faced by Travellers, and also compounds difficulties accessing accommodation.
Kerry Travellers Project works with the community to address this disadvantage. We have strong links with agencies providing employment support and training, building skills and identifying employment opportunities.
We have a Social Innovation Coordinator, Christina Boland who is developing a strategy around social innovation and enterprise. More details are available here Social Innovation
