Family Strategies in Hungary: The Role of Undocumented Migrants in Eldercare

Abstract

In Hungary until recently there are no research data on undocumented migrants working in the field of eldercare. Qualitative research conducted in 2009–2011 examined this ‘invisible’ segment working in long-term care. One of the target groups this study was families employing undocumented migrants including ethnic Hungarians from neighbouring Romania (Transylvania) and Ukraine (Subcarpathia). The paper explores this data to address where the employment of invisible migrants appears in the long-term eldercare strategies of Hungarian families. In addition, this paper examines the role of Hungarian non-migrant carers who are also present on the illegal (black) labour market providing eldercare. Based on analysis of macro data and empirical research, the paper identifies several care strategies utilised by families caring for older people in Hungary: 1. Active family carer; 2. Inactive family carer; 3. Family carer receiving a care allowance; 4. Family care with shared responsibility; 5. Family employing legal carer; 6. Family employing undocumented non-migrant carer; 7. Family carer also with earnings on the black market; and 8. Family employing undocumented migrant carer. This paper also highlights that a decline in the trend of migration in the near future will bring an erosion of the existing care source that has not been anticipated by policy related to eldercare. The increase in the retirement age causes women’s later exit from the labour market, aggravating the problem of balancing care and work. This increase in the retirement age, considered to be essential for ensuring the sustainability of the pension system, will inevitably result in a shortage of services with all its financial and structural implications. As women will no longer be able to perform care tasks, the formal care system will be unable to cope with the extra demand.