Discussions on Discrimination in Housing and Employment

In May and June 2026, the Slovak National Centre for Human Rights organised a series of consultations with representatives of NGOs, municipalities and experts working with Roma communities, displaced persons from Ukraine, people from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), and other vulnerable groups.

The aim of the discussions was to gather practical insights into discrimination in access to housing and employment, identify key barriers faced by different groups, and explore areas for further research and monitoring.

Housing

Participants reported that discrimination often occurs at the earliest stages of the housing search process. Roma applicants are frequently rejected based on their surname or perceived ethnicity, while Ukrainian applicants may face barriers due to their accent or nationality.

Several organisations shared experiences of Roma families with stable incomes being denied access to rental housing despite meeting all financial requirements. Participants highlighted the persistence of stereotypes and prejudices affecting Roma applicants regardless of their individual circumstances.

In relation to displaced persons from Ukraine, participants reported cases involving higher security deposits, non-return of deposits and requests for informal payments outside official rental agreements.

Participants also stressed that obtaining housing is only one part of the challenge. Maintaining housing and adapting to a new environment often involves increased scrutiny from neighbours, social exclusion and concerns about losing accommodation due to minor conflicts.

Structural barriers identified during the discussions included the shortage of affordable housing, limited availability of municipal housing, unresolved property issues and exploitative practices targeting vulnerable tenants.

Employment

In the area of employment, participants reported that discrimination often appears at the recruitment stage. Roma applicants may face disadvantages linked to their names, place of residence or perceived ethnic background. Several organisations noted that equally qualified Roma candidates often have lower chances of progressing through recruitment processes.

Participants also highlighted higher expectations placed on Roma applicants, limited feedback following interviews and persistent stereotypes concerning work ethic and reliability.

For displaced Ukrainians and other migrants, language barriers, administrative requirements and difficulties in recognising qualifications were identified as major obstacles. Highly qualified individuals are frequently employed below their level of education and professional experience.

Additional barriers discussed included transport accessibility, age, childcare responsibilities, indebtedness and precarious forms of employment, including undeclared work.