Lexi Webster
Turks in Austria, also known as Turkish Austrians or Austrian Turks, are people of Turkish ethnicity who live in Austria and form the country's largest ethnic minority group. There are several reasons for the significant Turkish population in Austria. Firstly, historical agreements between the Austrian and Turkish governments led to the recruitment of Turkish people as guest workers for the construction and export industries in the 1960s and 1970s. Additionally, Turkish Bulgarians migrated to Austria to escape assimilation policies and ethnic cleansing in the late 1980s. Furthermore, Turkish Kosovars migrated to Austria when Kosovo was part of Yugoslavia, joining other Yugoslav citizens as guest workers. These factors, along with migration from other post-Ottoman countries, have contributed to the sizeable Turkish community in Austria today.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reason for migration | Escape ethnic cleansing and Bulgarisation policies in the late 1980s; recruited as "guest workers" in the 1960s and 1970s; political refugees |
| Number of Turkish people in Austria | Estimates range from 360,000 to 500,000 |
| Austrian provinces with the most Turkish people | Vienna, Lower Austria, Vorarlberg, Upper Austria, Tyrol, Salzburg |
| Discrimination against Turkish people in Austria | Harassment and racial violence; discrimination in employment and housing; under-representation in higher education; Turkish women denied the right to work if they are family members of male workers; Turkish workers contribute to social welfare funds but cannot benefit from them; discrimination against Turkish women who wear headscarves |
| Political tensions | Austrian opposition to Turkish immigration and accession to the EU |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
- Turkish Bulgarians fled to Austria to escape the Revival Process in the 1980s
- Turkish migration from Greece has established a permanent community in Austria
- Turkish people were recruited as guest workers in Austria following a 1964 agreement
- Turkish Austrians face discrimination and racial violence, especially after 9/11
- Austria's opposition to Turkey joining the EU has caused tension between the countries
Turkish Bulgarians fled to Austria to escape the Revival Process in the 1980s
The Turkish Austrian community is comprised of people of Turkish ethnicity who have migrated from Turkey, as well as their Austrian-born descendants. A significant portion of this community also originates from other post-Ottoman countries, including ethnic Turkish communities from the Balkans, particularly Bulgaria.
In the 1980s, Bulgaria's communist regime, led by Todor Zhivkov, intensified its repression of the country's Muslim minority, implementing a series of forced assimilation policies known as the "Revival Process" or "Process of Rebirth". This campaign, which lasted from 1984 to 1989, targeted Bulgarian Turks, who constitute a substantial portion of the country's Muslim population. During this period, ethnic Turks were forced to change their Turkish names to Bulgarian ones, and the Turkish language was banned. The regime also engaged in ethnic cleansing, and over 300,000 Muslims were expelled from Bulgaria in 1989.
Faced with these oppressive policies, many Turkish Bulgarians chose to flee the country. Austria, along with other Western European countries like Germany and Sweden, became a preferred destination for these refugees. Approximately 1,000 Turkish Bulgarians took refuge in Austria, where they settled permanently. This initial wave of political emigration laid the foundation for future labour migration to Western Europe, as kinship networks facilitated the movement of more Turkish Bulgarians to these countries.
The Turkish Austrians who arrived in the country during this period, often as "guest workers", faced various challenges. They were often depicted through a xenophobic lens, stereotyped as aggressive, less educated, and less integrated compared to their German counterparts. Their children, caught between two cultures, struggled with a sense of belonging and were commonly perceived as "`quasi-foreigners`" in both Austria and Turkey. Additionally, the Austrian education system posed challenges for the children of guest workers due to the emphasis on German language proficiency and the lack of educational support at home.
Austria's Geographical Location: A Comprehensive Overview
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Turkish migration from Greece has established a permanent community in Austria
The Turkish Austrian community is made up of ethnic Turkish people who have migrated from Turkey and their Austrian-born descendants. It also includes ethnic Turkish communities from the Balkans (especially Bulgaria, Greece, and Romania) and the Levant (mainly Cyprus and Syria). Official statistics on the number of Turkish people in Austria vary, with estimates ranging from 360,000 to 500,000 people.
The migration of Turkish people from Greece to Austria has contributed to the establishment of a permanent Turkish community in the country. The first mass migration of the Turkish minority from Western Thrace in Greece to Austria began in the 1960s and intensified between 1970 and 2010 due to political and economic reasons. Initially, these migrants intended to return to Greece after working abroad for a few years. However, the Greek government used Article 19 of the 1955 Greek Constitution to strip ethnic Turks living abroad of their Greek citizenship, forcing many to remain in Western European countries like Austria. This led to the establishment of the permanent Turkish Western Thracian community in Austria.
A second mass migration wave of ethnic Turks from Greece to Austria occurred between 2010 and 2018, due to the Greek government-debt crisis. This wave of migration was significantly larger in numbers, although it occurred over a shorter period of eight years. In addition to economic factors, political factors have also played a role in the migration of Turkish people from Greece to Austria. For example, in the late 1980s, Turkish Bulgarians fled to Austria to escape "Bulgarisation" policies, including assimilation campaigns that forced them to change their Turkish names to Bulgarian names and banned the Turkish language.
The migration of Turkish people from Greece to Austria has had a significant impact on the social landscape of the country. The children of Turkish guest workers often find themselves caught between two worlds, feeling like quasi-foreigners in both Austria and Turkey. They have created new diasporic identities that transcend national boundaries, and their bilingual proficiency in German and Turkish has become an integral part of Austria's cultural fabric. However, they have also faced challenges, such as the difficulty of acquiring native-like German skills due to the educational and linguistic barriers faced by their parents.
German-Austrian Border: Which German City is Closest to Austria?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Turkish people were recruited as guest workers in Austria following a 1964 agreement
Turkish people were recruited as "guest workers" in Austria following a 1964 agreement between Austria and Turkey. This agreement was part of a series of bilateral recruitment agreements signed by West Germany with several countries, including Turkey, to address the severe labour shortage in continental northern Europe after World War II. While the initial agreement with Turkey was signed in 1961, it was amended in 1964 to allow Turkish workers to stay longer than the previous limit of two years. This change reflected the practical considerations of the high costs and time investment associated with frequently hiring and training replacements.
The recruitment of Turkish guest workers aimed to fill positions in the industrial sector that required few qualifications. These workers were predominantly unskilled labourers, and their migration significantly influenced the social landscape of Austria. The first generation of guest workers maintained strong ties to their home country, often spending extended holidays in Turkey. Their children, caught between two worlds, developed new diasporic identities that transcended national boundaries, mediated by their bilingual proficiency in German and Turkish.
The educational system in Austria posed challenges for the children of guest workers due to the importance of German proficiency in advancing to academic high schools. The children of guest workers faced additional obstacles as their parents, often unskilled labourers, could not provide the same level of educational support as their Austrian peers' families. This dynamic contributed to a sense of feeling like "outsiders" or "quasi-foreigners" within Austria.
The initial wave of Turkish migration to Austria, comprising ethnic Turks from the Republic of Turkey, was followed by significant migration from other post-Ottoman countries. These countries included Bulgaria, Greece, Kosovo, North Macedonia, and Romania, as well as Cyprus, Iraq, and Syria. The Turkish Bulgarian community's migration to Austria is particularly notable, as it was triggered by the "Revival Process" in the late 1980s, which involved assimilation policies such as forcing Turks to adopt Bulgarian names and banning the Turkish language.
The Turkish community in Austria, known as Turkish Austrians or Austrian Turks, has become the largest ethnic minority group in the country. While official statistics are not available due to the absence of ethnicity declaration in Austrian censuses, estimates range from 360,000 to 500,000 people of Turkish origin in the country. This community has left an indelible mark on Austria's social landscape, navigating the complexities of cultural integration and creating unique transnational identities.
Austria's Germanic Roots: A Cultural and Historical Perspective
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Turkish Austrians face discrimination and racial violence, especially after 9/11
The Turkish Austrian community is made up of ethnic Turkish people who have migrated from Turkey and their Austrian-born descendants. There are also significant Turkish communities in Austria from other post-Ottoman countries, especially in the Balkans (Bulgaria, Greece, Kosovo, North Macedonia, and Romania) and the Levant (Cyprus and Syria). Estimates of the number of Turks in Austria vary, with figures ranging from 200,000 to 500,000 people. They are the largest ethnic minority group in the country.
Turkish Austrians have faced discrimination and racial violence, especially after the events of 9/11 and the 2005 Madrid and London bombings. They suffer discrimination in employment and housing, and they are underrepresented in higher education. Turkish women are often denied the right to work if they are family members of male workers, and those who wear headscarves are often discriminated against by employers. Turkish men and women who are not Austrian citizens and are employed are not allowed to benefit from the social welfare funds to which they contribute.
The children of Turkish guest workers in Austria often find themselves caught between two worlds, feeling that they do not belong either to Austria or Turkey, as they are commonly perceived as quasi-foreigners in both countries. This perception is influenced by stereotypes that depict Turkish Austrians as more aggressive, less educated, less integrated, more joyous in life, and more family-oriented compared to Germans. These stereotypes are reminiscent of the ideological motif of the "Turkish barbarian" that has defined Austria's conception of "the East" for centuries.
The educational system in Austria also poses challenges for the children of Turkish immigrants, as German proficiency is a critical factor in determining a child's educational trajectory after primary school. Due to sociological and linguistic factors, achieving native-like German proficiency has been an almost insurmountable challenge for many children of guest workers. Additionally, the common pattern of language acquisition for second-generation Turks has been predominantly one of bilingual proficiency in German and Turkish, which surpasses their parents' language proficiency but may still fall short of the standards required for academic success in Austria.
Visa Requirements: Austrians Visiting Canada
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Austria's opposition to Turkey joining the EU has caused tension between the countries
Austria and Turkey have had a long history of relations, dating back to the times of the Habsburg and Ottoman Empires. While the two countries were allies during the First World War, their relations have since become strained, particularly due to Austria's opposition to Turkey's accession to the European Union.
Austria, which has a significant Turkish population of approximately 250,000-500,000 people, has been a vocal opponent of Turkey's membership in the EU. This stance has caused tension between the two countries, with Turkey accusing Austria of discrimination, racism, and xenophobia. The Turkish ambassador to Austria, Kadri Ecvet Tezcan, even called for international organisations with buildings in Vienna to relocate, citing the Austrian public and political elite's xenophobic attitude towards Turkey.
Austria's opposition to Turkey's EU membership is largely driven by conservative and right-wing parties, such as the Austrian People's Party and the Freedom Party of Austria. These parties have influenced Austria's stance on blocking Turkey's accession, despite efforts by other EU countries to continue negotiations. In 2016, Austria attempted to get the EU to halt membership talks with Turkey, citing concerns over a crackdown on media and political opposition in Turkey. However, this attempt was rejected by other EU members who wanted to maintain cooperation with Turkey on curbing refugee inflows into Europe.
The tension between the two countries has also been influenced by the large Turkish community in Austria, who face challenges in integration and are often depicted as "quasi-foreigners." The Turkish Austrians, who form the largest ethnic minority group, struggle with education and are often perceived as less integrated compared to their German counterparts. This has further complicated the relationship between Austria and Turkey, as issues of identity and belonging come into play.
Despite the tensions, Austria and Turkey currently maintain normal relations, and both are members of the Council of Europe. However, the ongoing disagreement over Turkey's EU accession continues to be a point of contention, with Turkey warning that Austria's approach could lead to a loss of friendship between the two nations.
Austria's Education Mandate: School Attendance Constitutionally Required
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Turkish people form the largest ethnic minority group in Austria, with estimates of their population ranging from 360,000 to 500,000. The migration of Turkish people to Austria began in the 1960s and 1970s, when they were recruited as "guest workers" for the construction and export industries following an agreement with the Turkish government.
The migration of Turkish people to Austria has occurred in waves. The first wave occurred in the 1960s and 1970s when Turkish "guest workers" were recruited to work in the construction and export industries. This was followed by a second wave of migration in the 1970s that included Turkish and Kurdish political refugees. After the collapse of the totalitarian regime in Bulgaria in 1989, a new wave of Turkish Bulgarian migrants began to arrive in Austria, followed by another wave from Greece between 2010 and 2018 due to the Greek government-debt crisis.
The Turkish community in Austria has created new diasporic identities that transcend national boundaries, mediated by their bilingual proficiency in German and Turkish. However, they often face challenges in integration and discrimination in areas such as education, employment, and housing.
While some Turks in Austria have acquired Austrian citizenship, others remain non-citizens and face legal challenges. Under Greek law, ethnic Turks can be stripped of their citizenship by an administrative decree without a hearing or an effective right of appeal, forcing many to remain in Western European countries like Austria.
The relationship between Turkey and Austria has been tense due to Austrian opposition to Turkish immigration and Turkey's accession to the European Union. Turkey has accused Austria of discrimination and racism, while Austria has called for the termination of full membership negotiations between the EU and Turkey.
