Almost half the immigrants living in Attica are thinking of staying in the country only temporarily, according to research made public yesterday by the Labor Institute of the General Confederation of Greek Labor (GSEE), Greece's largest umbrella union.

Some 48 percent of those questioned said they were not considering making Greece their permanent home, although over two thirds said they had consciously chosen to come here.

Over 60 percent said they did not think the country helped immigrants acclimatize to Greek society, while just over half felt that Greeks did not want immigrants in their country.

The most popular way for Attica immigrants to find work is through their friends or family, according to the survey. Despite the fact that most migrants are employed full time, almost a quarter remain uninsured and most think their wages are insufficient. The issue that concerns them most (62.7 percent) is obtaining legal status and residency permits.