We encourage our readers to follow Forced Migration Current Awareness posts. We reproduce hereunder the latest post.
01/07/2021
The Right to Work of Asylum Seekers and Refugees Publication by COSTELLO, Cathryn; O’CINNÉIDE, Colm / May 2021
Publication by
COSTELLO, Cathryn; O’CINNÉIDE, Colm / May 2021
This working paper analyses the right to work to asylum seekers and refugees. Part I briefly sets the scene, with an account of the reality of work rights restrictions for asylum seekers’ and refugees. Part II analysis the right to work of asylum seekers and refugees, specifically examining the right under international human rights law of global and regional scope.
25/01/2019
Ethiopia Allows Almost 1 Million Refugees to Leave Camps and grant right to Work
Ethiopia passed a law Thursday giving almost 1 million refugees the right to work and live outside of camps, in a move praised for providing them with more dignity and reducing reliance on foreign aid.
Home to Africa’s second largest refugee population after Uganda, Ethiopia hosts more than 900,000 people who have fled conflict, drought and persecution in neighboring countries such as South Sudan, Sudan, Somalia and Eritrea.
The refugees — many of whom sought refuge decades ago and have children born in Ethiopia — are largely confined to one of about 20 camps across country. Most were not permitted to work.
17/01/2019
European Migration Network Study on Approaches to unaccompanied minors following status determination examines Right to work
The author of this blog (also a legal guardian of unaccompanied minors) advocates for any measure that can facilitate access of unaccompanied minors to the labour market, without prior work permit and irrespective of legal status. All unaccompanied minors should have access to "student job/ student contract" after school or during holidays providing they are identified as unaccompanied minors and go to school and vocational education or have full access to the legal market beyond school age, while being protected with specific work contract for minors. We also strongly believe that alternative educational vocational programmes where UAM can spend the most of their time learning vocational skills should be promoted. Those programmes are highly efficient and relevant for some unaccompanied minors who would remained out of school or demotivated otherwise. We believe that UAM who attend educational trainings in sectors exposed to labor shortage should be also taken into consideration for residence permit whenever possible.
The European Migration Network (EMN) recently released a study which explores the situation of unaccompanied
minors (UAMs) who have been granted a residence permit in the EU plus Norway (EMN Study on Approaches to Unaccompanied Minors Following StatusDetermination in the EU plus Norway).The findings of this study are the following:
Support to employment to unaccompanied minors in the EU+
03/01/2018
Legal employment hardly accessible to refugees in Turkey
While refugees are allowed to seek employment under Turkish law, legal jobs are largely inaccessible for the vast majority of refugees in Turkey. In its study, “I Am Only Looking for My Rights”: Legal Employment Still Inaccessible to Refugees in Turkey, Refugees International examines the challenges and consequences facing refugees as they seek employment in Turkey. The study is based on a October 2017 research mission.
The report finds that without legal employment, refugees become trapped in a cycle of informal work where the risk of exploitation and abuse is high and wages are low.
Refugees in Turkey face enormous hurdles to finding legal employment and commonly work excessively long hours often in difficult working conditions and are paid a faction of their Turkish counterparts. In addition, the lack of decent wages for adult refugees pushes many refugee children into the job market as well, instead of attending school.
One of the difficulties refugees face is a climate of hostility and negative myths about the impact of refugees on Turkish society.
The report offers the following policy recommendations (a.o):
13/09/2017
KNOMAD study on Refugees' Right to Work and Access to Labor Markets
Refugees' Right to Work and Access to Labor Markets
A December 2016 study produced under the KNOMAD's Thematic Working Group on Migration and Development finds a generally restrictive approach to refugees’ right to work across 20 countries that have taken in 70 per cent of the world’s refugees. Most are reluctant to ease these restrictions too.
The majority of refugees work in the informal sector, but under much less satisfactory and more exploitative conditions compared with nationals. Informal labour markets are also constrained in countries with fragile economies which often host large numbers of refugees, says the study.
The research concludes that:
-more national and international coordination is required,
-multiple actors should share in the responsibility to deliver decent work,
-labour market policies as well as training and education should be harnessed to support sustainable livelihoods,
-refugee social capital should be more effectively engaged.
ECRE Paper: The Right to Work for Beneficiaries of International Protection
In December 2016 ECRE released the paper The Right to Work for Beneficiaries of International Protection:
The ability to engage in decent work is a fundamental human right, integral to human dignity and self-respect. Failure to ensure proper access to the labour market hinders the ability of a beneficiary of international protection to successfully integrate into their new society, and leaves them at risk of destitution. It may also result beneficiaries of international protection engaging in unauthorized work in dangerous and degrading conditions, or their unauthorized onward secondary movement.
As a result, it is essential to ensure beneficiaries of international protection are given effective access to the labour market. In order to effectively enjoy the right to work, individuals not only need effective access to the labour market, but also access to vocational training courses and to have their qualifications recognised in a reasonable period of time. Studies have revealed that when beneficiaries of international protection initially enter the labour market they frequently only have access to jobs subsidised by the State and/or requiring a lower level of qualifications or skills.
The ability to engage in decent work is a fundamental human right, integral to human dignity and self-respect. Failure to ensure proper access to the labour market hinders the ability of a beneficiary of international protection to successfully integrate into their new society, and leaves them at risk of destitution. It may also result beneficiaries of international protection engaging in unauthorized work in dangerous and degrading conditions, or their unauthorized onward secondary movement.
As a result, it is essential to ensure beneficiaries of international protection are given effective access to the labour market. In order to effectively enjoy the right to work, individuals not only need effective access to the labour market, but also access to vocational training courses and to have their qualifications recognised in a reasonable period of time. Studies have revealed that when beneficiaries of international protection initially enter the labour market they frequently only have access to jobs subsidised by the State and/or requiring a lower level of qualifications or skills.
A European Commission's initiative to support labour market integration
On 23 May 2017 the European Commission launched the initiative Employers together for integration at the occasion of the second meeting of the European Dialogue on Skills and Migration to give visibility to what employers are doing to support the integration of refugees and other migrants into the labour market.
Article extracted from the European Commission website.
The successful integration of third-country nationals in the EU labour market represents an opportunity for our societies. When effectively integrated they can help improve the functioning and performance of the labour market, as well as support fiscal sustainability.
In this process, the role of economic and social partners, and in particular of employers, is crucial. Several initiatives have been initiated by employers, trade unions, chambers of
commerce in many member states.
The European Social fund is the main funding instrument supporting labour market inclusion, including of migrants. The Asylum Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF) can also provide funding for preparatory measures to access the labour market.
Economic and Social European Committee presents good practices to enhance access to labour market of refugees
L’Observatoire du marché du travail (OMT) du Comité économique et social européen a tenu un séminaire public sur le thème «Intégration des réfugiés sur le marché du travail: transformer la crise en une occasion à saisir» le lundi, 22 février 2016 de 14h30 à 18h00 au siège du CESE à Bruxelles.
L'événement, organisé en collaboration avec la Fondation européenne pour l’amélioration des conditions de vie et de travail (Eurofound), a mis en lumière les facteurs qui facilitent le travail des réfugiés, en tant qu'employés ou entrepreneurs. Parmi les orateurs on a pu découvrir des chercheurs, députés européens et représentants de la société civile qui ont présenté une série de bonnes pratiques issues du terrain.
Le séminaire a offert des points de vue variés sur les bonnes pratiques et les défis à relever dans ce domaine et apporte une contribution au travail approfondi du CESE en matière de migration/asile/intégration, comme par exemple à l'avis SOC/532 sur l'Intégration des réfugiés (rapporteure Mme Schweng, corapporteur M Gkofas), au travail du groupe d'étude permanent IMI et au Forum européen sur la Migration.
Thematic bibliography
We would like to recommend once again to follow the thematic electronic updates of the Forced Migration Current Awareness Blog. We reproduce the last thematic bibliography that may interest our readers.
Posted: 25 Aug 2017 12:27 PM PDT
Belgium: Agreement between reception and employment agencies to accelerate access of asylum seekers to the job market
Fedasil et le Forem s'entendent pour l'intégration des demandeurs d'asile (l'article ci dessous est un article de l'agence Belga, publié le 29 août 2017, NB nous avons corrigé les dernières lignes par soucis de précision juridique):
Le secrétaire d'Etat à l'Asile et à la Migration Theo Francken (N-VA) et le nouveau ministre wallon de l'Emploi Pierre-Yves Jeholet (MR) ont signé mardi un accord de collaboration pour favoriser l'insertion socio-professionnelle des demandeurs d'asile. L'occasion aussi de donner un "signal" en termes de coopération entre le gouvernement fédéral et la Région wallonne.L'accord de collaboration signé par les deux hommes au centre d'accueil de Rixensart doit permettre d'intensifier la présence du Forem dans les centres Fedasil en Wallonie. Des séances d'informations seront notamment organisées pour les demandeurs d'asile.
12/09/2017
Enhancing the integration of asylum seekers and refugees at EU level
In June 2016, the European Commission adopted the Action Plan for the Integration of Third Country Nationals which sets out 50 actions to support Member States and other actors in their effort to foster migrant integration, among which asylum seekers and refugees. To implement this Action Plan a Mutual Learning Programme (MLP) thematic event on measures to support the integration of asylum seekers and refugees was held in Brussels on 22 June 2016. The results of this conference were shared at the annual MLP dissemination conference on the value of mutual learning for policy making in Brussels on 9 December 2016.
11/07/2017
INTERSOS is looking for a consultant Policy researcher Jordan-Lebanon- Turkey
INTERSOS is an independent humanitarian organization that assists the victims of natural disasters, armed conflicts and exclusion. Its activities are based on the principles of solidarity, justice, human dignity, equality of rights and opportunities, respect for diversity and coexistence, paying special attention to the most vulnerable people.
1. Terms of reference
Job title: Policy Researcher
Duty Station: Roving (Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey)
Starting date: 24st July 2017
Duration of contract: 1.5 months
Reporting to: INTERSOS MMP Analyst
2. General context of the project
The Mixed Migration Platform (MMP) is a joint initiative of seven INGOs that provides quality mixed migration-related information for policy, programming and advocacy work, as well as critical information for people on the move. The platform also acts as a mixed migration information hub for the Middle East and focuses on people within mixed migration flows moving to, within and from the region, as well as linked secondary regions such as Europe or Central Asia and South West Asia (CASWA).
3. General purpose of the position
To provide a critical analysis of the existing OHCHR principles and guidelines - and other relevant guidelines - for the protection of the human rights of migrants in vulnerable situations. Those other guidelines include: the ILO Guiding Principles on the Access of Refugees other Forcibly Displaced Persons to the Labour Market and the IOM Migrants in Countries in Crisis guidelines.
Regional case study-based examinations of Principle 6 (human rights-based returns) and 14 (the right to work) will be used.
28/06/2017
Irish Government has 6 month to allow asylum seekers to work
We would like to reproduce an article from the Irish Times (30th May 2017 by Ciaràn D'Arcy) on the recent judgment of the Irish Supreme Court.
Brian Killoran of the Immigrant Council of Ireland said Ireland was one of only two EU countries, the other being Lithuania, which has a complete prohibition on asylum seekers finding employment.
The Right to Work - Asylum Seekers in Ireland
25/01/2017
In Ireland, Supreme Court is considering right to work of asylum seekers
As formulated by Human Rights Watch “By not allowing asylum seekers to work, Ireland is an outlier among EU member states”.
I reproduce hereafter an article from The Irish Times dated January 2017 on the denial of the right to work of asylum seekers in direct provision and provide my legal analysis from an international and European perspective.
We would like in this post to express our support to the Irish campaigners who have long been campaigning for the removal of the governmental ban on the right to work of asylum seekers. The Irish governmental prohibition is based on old- dated arguments that contradicts international human rights standards, human dignity, refugee law and is not supported by economical arguments. Let's hope that the Irish Supreme Court will be able to adopt a solution more in line with human dignity.
I reproduce hereafter an article from The Irish Times dated January 2017 on the denial of the right to work of asylum seekers in direct provision and provide my legal analysis from an international and European perspective.
We would like in this post to express our support to the Irish campaigners who have long been campaigning for the removal of the governmental ban on the right to work of asylum seekers. The Irish governmental prohibition is based on old- dated arguments that contradicts international human rights standards, human dignity, refugee law and is not supported by economical arguments. Let's hope that the Irish Supreme Court will be able to adopt a solution more in line with human dignity.
19/12/2016
Young people from migrant and refugee backgrounds lack the social capital to access labour market
A recent paper from the Australian Center for Cultural Youth argues that a crucial link (social capital) is missing to allow for the access of young people from migrant and refugee backgrounds to the labour market.
This paper aims to develop a deeper understanding of the way in which young people from
migrant and refugee backgrounds experience social capital in relation to work transitions in Australia,
particularly for those who are tertiary educated. This is with the intention of exploring how
best to support the breadth and quality of young people’s networks to facilitate the transition
to meaningful work. Access to bridging capital for the purposes of employment is an issue of equity – an essential link that is often missing for young people with a refugee or migrant
experience.
Legal work rights for refugees in Malaysia is a first positive step forward
Legal work rights for refugees in Malaysia is a positive step forward but they must be offered adequate protections for the scheme to succeed long-term writes Gerhard Hoffstaedter on the Asia & the Pacific policy society blog.
Several news outlets have reported on a pilot scheme to provide work rights to 300 Rohingya refugees in Malaysia. This scheme is a cooperation between the Malaysian government and the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR). It has been long in the making and refugee advocates, as well as the UNHCR, have been arguing for more regularisation of refugees in Malaysia for a long time.
The announcement comes at a time of escalating violence against the Rohingya in Myanmar and reports of ethnic cleansing. The Malaysian government’s approach to the plight of the Rohingya has long been guided by the ASEAN policy of non-interference. However, last week the government demanded action from Myanmar in a public statement and summoned the Myanmar ambassador to convey their message.
Malaysia is not a signatory to the UN refugee convention or protocol and therefore does not recognise refugees legally. The UNHCR is allowed to register refugees on the understanding that the majority are to be resettled to safe third countries, such as the US, Australia, Canada and European countries. Currently, over 150,000 refugees are registered by the UNHCR with many more remaining unregistered and very vulnerable.
The UNHCR does not have sufficient means to look after so many refugees, which necessitates their employment in often dirty, dangerous and demeaning occupations. Without outside help, refugees turn to the large Malaysian shadow economy, where they find badly-paid work, are often cheated out of their wages, or worse. When accidents happen, entire families can become destitute overnight as few have health insurance or access to workers’ compensation schemes.
How are refugees faring on the labour market in Europe?
The OECD & European Commission recently released a working paper based on a 2014 Labour Force Survey. It answers 2 simple questions: who are the migrants who come for humanitarian reasons to Europe and how are they doing on the labour market, education, language and culture.Those questions have particular relevance in the current situation, but are notoriously hard to answer, as refugees gradually ‘disappear’ in migration and integration statistics when gradually settling in. This first evaluation provides key findings which can inform current policy debates.
Employment
Refugees represent one of the most vulnerable groups of migrants on the labour market. With an overall average employment rate of 56%, it takes refugees up to 20 years to have a similar employment rate as the native-born. Family migrants achieve comparable results, while persons arriving for employment or study purposes reach this level at the latest after 9 years.
Refugees represent one of the most vulnerable groups of migrants on the labour market. With an overall average employment rate of 56%, it takes refugees up to 20 years to have a similar employment rate as the native-born. Family migrants achieve comparable results, while persons arriving for employment or study purposes reach this level at the latest after 9 years.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)