Navigating Precarity: Employment Challenges and Integration of Refugees in Canada's Labor Market

This study examines the employment challenges and experiences of former refugees in Canada, providing insights into global trends of informality, precarity, and unemployment among displaced populations. Based on a data from the labour market experiences of former refugees in the Prairie provinces, this research analyzes responses from 560 refugees across various categories, including Government Assisted Refugees, Privately Sponsored Refugees, and refugee claimants. Key findings reveal that finding work is the most pressing issue, while struggling with language barriers. The study highlights the precarious nature of refugee employment respondents working multiple jobs primarily due to the need for additional income. This trend underscores the informal aspects of refugee labour integration and the challenges in achieving stable, family-sustaining employment. The research identifies lack of Canadian experience, skill recognition, and credential recognition as the top barriers to employment, reflecting global challenges in labour market integration for displaced populations.

This study contributes to our understanding of global work tendencies, particularly in the context of forced migration and resettlement. It emphasizes the need for targeted policies and support systems to address the unique challenges faced by refugees in the labour market, ultimately promoting more inclusive and sustainable employment practices worldwide. Hence, the key question driving this research is: How can policy interventions be designed to overcome the employment barriers faced by refugees, ensuring their successful integration into the labour market?