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. 

New study on Refugees' Right to Work and Access to Labor Markets

Refugees' Right to Work and Access to Labor Markets

A new 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. 

Cash in hand Urban refugees, the right to work and UNHCR's advocacy activities

The UNHCR Policy Development and Evaluation Service (PDES) has released in May 2011 a report called ' Cash in hand Urban Refugees, the Right to work and UNHCR's Advocacy Activities'. As a dispersed population that often lacks secure legal status and access to social services, urban refugees face particular challenges. Urban economies are cash-based, and work is the key livelihoods strategy for refugees in urban settings.  By becoming self-reliant and productive, refugees with the legal right to work can benefit their local communities and host countries in addition to improving their own situations. Urban livelihoods and refugees right to work are therefore priorities for the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), and advocacy is an essential tool to help its staff to reduce barriers to this right.