Remote work jobs for refugees: how to improve lives with livelihoods

Beyond the ‌humanitarian challenges they face, refugees often struggle to rebuild their lives and secure sustainable livelihoods in their host countries. One viable solution that can help them ‌overcome geographical barriers and access global job markets is working remotely. This is a huge opportunity for refugees who have the skills to be employed. 

Organizations can step in and create remote employment opportunities specifically tailored for refugees. As a result, they can promote diversity and inclusion and strengthen their social responsibility. 

This article explores the benefits and best practices to consider when hiring refugees for remote jobs.

The upsides of welcoming refugee talent 

COVID-19 accelerated the transition to remote employment. Many companies realized that they no longer need to rely solely on talent in their physical location.

Global employment through technology presents an opportunity for many refugees who experience limited access to employment opportunities in their host countries.

Here are the ways employers and refugees can benefit from this initiative:

Closing skill gaps 

Sixty-nine percent of HR professionals say their organizations have a skill gap. This gap can provide opportunities for refugees, who are largely excluded from the global workforce. In fact, 80% of hiring managers believe refugees have the skills and experience businesses need, and 51% share that refugees are highly motivated to work.

With the appropriate training and networks, refugees can be well-positioned to fill these gaps.

Profitability

Recruiting refugees has an economic benefit. It leads to stronger retention rates and improved diversity in the workforce. This results in increased profits over the longer term.

Altruism

Apart from direct financial gains, the favorable environment created by employers for refugee hires offers new job opportunities for individuals from other underrepresented groups. This facilitates a new culture of acceptance and openness towards displaced talent. 

Fresh perspectives and diversity 

Refugees bring rich diversity in terms of education, work experience, and cultural background. A variety of viewpoints can inject fresh ideas into your company and challenge existing assumptions. This enriches the work environment as a whole and creates a positive workplace culture, leading to more success.

Enhanced employer reputation

Hiring refugees demonstrates your company's commitment to inclusion. This attracts new customers, investors, and top talent who value diversity in the workplace.  

Positive media coverage and recognition for inclusive practices can further solidify your company's reputation as a socially conscious leader.

Dignity 

Refugees rely on aid and can experience a self-perceived loss of dignity as a result. Fortunately, remote work offers a lifeline. 

With a steady income, refugees gain financial independence. Most importantly, remote work validates their skills. Refugees use their existing expertise, increasing their self-worth. This helps to dismantle barriers and allows them to live their lives with purpose.

Building digital skills for refugees

For refugees seeking to restart their lives in a new country, access to technology and the ability to use it effectively can be a game-changer. Digital literacy can help displaced people find educational resources online, learn new skills, and even start their own businesses.

Basic digital skills, like navigating the internet, using email, and drafting documents, are crucial for job searching. And digital tools, like video conferencing and social media platforms, help refugees overcome language barriers and build new social networks.

Research conducted by Na’amal has identified multiple existing programs that have the potential to open new opportunities, markets, and networks for refugees. These include both online education and training initiatives and broad pathways to digital work.

These platforms offer skills development across the gamut of digital skills, from advanced skills, such as coding and software development, to the most basic skills in digital literacy, like data tagging and administration.

The right to remote work for refugees

Opportunities for remote work for refugees aren't straightforward because of the legal restrictions surrounding the right to work.

Refugees’ right to work is enshrined in the United Nations' 1951 Refugee Convention. Yet, legislation in host countries discourages refugees’ legal access to work. This is often the result of government policies preventing refugees from competing with the local population. 

Remote workspaces are still in their infancy, and government regulations (even for people who aren't refugees) can often be unclear.

How to hire refugees legally in a fully-remote capacity

The reality is that many refugees, even in places where they have the right to work, do so informally. The evolution of remote gig and platform work is seen as a potential opportunity for refugees.

Yet full-time work may be a more desirable option for refugees. However, this depends on refugees’ right to work in their host communities.

There are two major pathways for hiring refugees:

1. Hire refugees as contractors: This makes individuals responsible for their own taxes and social security, becoming legal self-employees.

2. Use an employer of record (EOR) as a local employer operator. The main responsibilities of an EOR are to manage payroll and social security requirements in the worker’s home country.

Remote for Refugees simplifies the process for companies committed to a work-from-anywhere culture to hire refugees. It helps displaced talent move closer to a model of digital refugee livelihood and enables refugees to access dignified, highly skilled, long-term employment opportunities.

The immense opportunity for remote-first employers

Having a full-time job is by far the most important source of financial, social, and personal stability. Unfortunately, many refugees still encounter difficulties in getting jobs.

The current legal status of refugees and the structural and social barriers that exist in most refugee host countries remain the biggest hurdles to overcome. Here are some of the challenges refugees face when looking for work: 

• Restrictive policies, complex documentation requirements, and lengthy processes for obtaining work permits

• Absence of established regulations in host countries 

• Lack of internet access

• Lack of understanding of remote work

• Language barriers, lack of recognized educational credentials or professional certifications, and unfamiliarity with local job search processes

• Social barriers, like discrimination, prejudice, and cultural misunderstandings

• Negative perceptions or biases against refugees by prospective employers

• Lack of access to financial services, such as banking and credit facilities

• Less proficiency in local languages, hindering interviews and interactions

Practical steps to match refugees with remote jobs

Remote work has the potential to change the narrative of employment for refugees. These are just a few specific, practical steps that can create equal, inclusive access for refugees in the remote work industry.

• Encourage and incentivize host countries to build adequate legal frameworks

• Portray a win-win narrative around including refugees in the remote work sector

• Facilitate cooperation between refugee-hosting governments, NGOs, other agencies, and the private sector

• Create simple, frictionless experiences to match remote-first employers with refugee talent

• Leverage the opportunity of remote work to democratize employment

• Raise awareness about the benefits of hiring refugees and the potential of the remote work model for their integration

Best practices for onboarding refugee employees

Employers are in a unique position to empower refugees and immigrant talent by providing them with remote work opportunities.

However, creating a supportive environment for refugee employees requires a thoughtful approach both during the hiring process and throughout the onboarding journey. Here are some best practices:

While hiring:

• Partner with refugee organizations for targeted recruitment efforts

• Offer language assistance during the interview process

• Value refugees’ existing capabilities rather than formal credentials

• Train hiring managers on cultural sensitivity and inclusive interviewing

• Ensure fair pay benchmarked to local market rates for roles

While onboarding:

• Conduct comprehensive cultural orientation and workplace norms training

• Assign dedicated mentors for personalized support

• Provide translation services or arrange for refugees to attend language classes 

• Encourage open dialogue and provide safe spaces for giving feedback

• Start with focused assignments and lighter loads to set refugees up for success

Helpful resources for employers and refugees

We also want to highlight some of the amazing organizations that provide resources for refugees, including training, job placement, and advocacy:

1. Free EOR services for all hired refugees

Remote offers free EOR services. As long as the refugee has the legal right to work, we can employ them in any country where we have an entity. If you are hiring refugee talent, talk to our team and learn more about our program. Check our Country Explorer for our live countries and projected launches.

2. Refugee training for remote work

Na'amal partners with leading organizations around the world to match highly skilled refugees to remote employment. They also support refugees and other underrepresented communities by providing skills training and mentorship. You can contact Lorraine’s team at naamal@naamal.org to find skilled refugee talent.

3. How to find refugee talent or refugee-seeking employers

FlexJobs offers remote, work-from-home, and flexible job opportunities. Offers are available for authorized refugee organizations or governments supporting refugees. Please contact Julie at julie@flexjobs.com and mention this initiative.

Jobs for Humanity connects refugees, displaced individuals, and asylum seekers with employers across the world.

Talent Beyond Boundaries facilitates skilled migration pathways for refugees.

Tent mobilizes the business community to improve the lives and livelihoods of over 30 million refugees forcibly displaced from their home countries.

TERN helps refugees connect to and network with entrepreneurs from refugee backgrounds.

Techfugees build and share free inclusion programs in coding, data analytics, cybersecurity, and design to help refugees land tech jobs.

Champion refugee employment in your business

Encouraging job prospects for refugees is a win-win scenario. 

Businesses gain access to a wider range of skilled and motivated individuals, refugees achieve financial independence, and the global workforce gains new skills and expertise. 

By dismantling barriers and promoting inclusion, we can unlock refugees’ full potential and build a stronger, more prosperous future for all. 

Partner with Remote and tap into refugee talent pools. Get started here.