Survival strategies of the unemployed African immigrants in the City of Turin based in the North West Region - Piedmont Region of Italy

Abstract

This research looked at the daily survival strategies of the individuals who are job seekers who are also immigrants in the developed country. This report also look at how the globalised labour market affect the Black people especially Africans who left their own countries to another countries in search of a “better” living and working conditions for their survival. The data was collected by conducting in-depth interviews, organisational interviews, as well as observation in study area within the Piedmont Region. This included the City of Turin and a individuals who are job seekers within the area under study. The specific focus areas of the research related to the strategies adopted by the African unemployed people and who are also immigrants on how they meet their daily needs, the skills they utilised in the securing their daily needs; resources of the unemployed; living conditions of the unemployed and the perspectives of the unemployed people in relation to identity and other social organisations. The research found that some of the survival strategies included working for low income that is not negotiated of which further indirectly perpetuates exploitation and the maintenance of cheap labour. Food is also accessed through favours from the local communities and as well as the former people from the same country of origin. The conclusion is that it appears that Africa is still exposed to unequal development as its populace still immigrate to European countries in terms of seeking better to the developed economy. Poverty and underdevelopment of Africa continues because their economies are still dictated and aspire to be developed in line with European needs and values. African workers irrespective of being skilled or unskilled are forced migrate to Europe, as they cannot make a meaning change in their lives in their respective countries: subjected to lower paid jobs, forced into migrant labour of which result into family dislocation, disruptions and unemployment. Government needs to revisit its current economic policy in order to address the decolonisation of African economic system and as well as ensuring the stoppage of migration of African workers to European countries. Furthermore, to guarantee the self-reliance, equal development and fighting racism in the world economy especially Africa.