During 2023 and 2024, 42 percent refugee and asylum seekers who requested UNHCR support in finding them work in Serbia - managed to get a job, the Infostud portal announced on the occasion of World Refugee Day.
As confirmed in Infostud for Vreme, they mostly worked in customer support (20 percent), the IKEA sector (17 percent), tourism (15 percent), retail (13 percent) and production (11 percent), while the rest were engaged in hygiene maintenance, catering, the IT sector, accounting and healthcare.
Joint research by Infostud and the Commissariat for Refugees shows that from 2019 to 2023, as many as 72 percent of refugees were employed. The exact number of refugees on the labor market is not known, since many are looking for work independently, Infostuda added for "Vreme".
Most often they come from Ukraine, Afghanistan, Syria, Iran, Iraq, Libya, Burundi and Cuba. Since last year, refugees and asylum seekers no longer need a work permit - an identity card issued by the Asylum Office, along with a status certificate, is sufficient.
A call to recognize refugees as a new workforce
These changes in the law relieved employers of administrative procedures, so the Commissariat and UNHCR call on them to recognize refugees as a new workforce.
UNHCR, in cooperation with the National Employment Service, the Qualifications Agency and the Commissariat, provides administrative and logistical support to employers, but also informs HR teams about the status, rights and needs of refugees.
More than a third of refugees have a higher education, while over 50% of them have a secondary school. Despite this, many work in jobs outside of their professions, due to language barriers and non-validated degrees.
The biggest difficulties are in Sjenica and Vranje
The integration support program lasts a year, including language learning assistance and private accommodation. But for many, as the UNHCR says, it would mean that this support lasts longer.
Those who live in places with high unemployment, such as Sjenica and Vranje, have the greatest difficulties in finding work, where UNHCR also organizes informational conferences for employers.
Along with the career guide for refugees, developed with state institutions, information is provided on the recognition of diplomas, language learning, education, retraining and counseling.
Refugees continue to encounter obstacles in their daily lives due to documents that are different from the Serbian ones, so they have difficulties opening accounts, going to the doctor or finding employment.
