Gaining access to legal paid work can be a requirement for asylum status or citizenship in a host country and may be done with or without the assistance of non-governmental organizations.
[2] Refugee workforce integration is understood to be a process in which refugees engage in economic activities (employment or self-employment), which are commensurate with individuals' professional goals and previous qualifications and experience, and provide adequate economic security and prospects for career advancement.
International adjustment is a process of achieving a “fit between [individuals] and the new environment in both work and non-work domains.”[3] 145 countries have signed the Convention relating to the Status of Refugees.
[4] Some countries such as the UK, Australia, Canada, Chile, Greece, Mexico, Norway and Sweden also allow asylum-seekers to gain access to employment before they get refugee status if they meet certain conditions.
[7] Other countries such as Germany also allow individuals whose refugee applications have been rejected but are unable to return home to access legal employment.
Refugees tend to have lower turnover rates than locals and helps reduce the business cost of rehiring.
[11] The host country usually also benefits as refugees gain legal employment, it helps to grow the economy and increase the tax base.
Studies have estimated the impact of legalizing immigrant employment on US economic growth to be 0.8% or about $15.2 billion per year.
[12] A similar study in Malaysia estimates the impact of legalizing employment for refugees to be RM3 billion in GDP growth by 2024 and an increase of RM50 million in tax receipts.
Refugees are often unable to find employment due to a lack of information on the opportunities in the host country.