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. 

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.

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. 

Overview of Right to Work for Refugees Syria Crisis Response: Lebanon & Jordan

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) in its' policy paper 'Overview of Right to Work for Refugees Syria Crisis Response: Lebanon & Jordan' examines the access to work of Syrian refugees in Jordan and Lebanon, as codified under international law. It then considers the domestic law in Jordan and Lebanon that governs work rights for Syrian refugees and provides recommendations for future policy and practice to help realize their right to work. 

Syrian refugees could lose their refugee status and right to work in Lebanon

Syrian refugees could lose their refugee status and right to work in Lebanon as new rules regarding the obtention of their visa are being implemented according to today's IRIN article 'Stranded Syrians at "serious risk" of losing refugee status in Lebanon'. They will be left destitute and increasingly subject to detention and exploitation. 

According to IRIN: 

Palestinians and their right to work in Lebanon, Jordan and Syria

Elizabeth Hebert, in her research paper A protracted conflict: Palestinians and their right to work in Lebanon, analyses the integration of Palestinians refugees in Lebanon, Jordan and Syria. It focuses on access of Palestinian refugees on the labour market in Lebanon and analyses in depth obstacles to their access to the labour market. 

You can find a short summary of Elizabeth Hebert paper extracted from her abstract (source: The Human rights blog):