Can job search assistance improve the labour market integration of refugees? Evidence from a field experiment

Abstract

We conducted a field experiment to evaluate the impact of job-search assistance on the employment of recently arrived refugees in Germany. The treatment group received jobmatching support: an NGO identified suitable vacancies and sent the refugees' CVs to employers. Results of follow-up phone surveys show a positive and significant treatment effect of 13 percentage points on employment after twelve months. These effects are concentrated among low-educated refugees and those facing uncertainty about their residence status. These individuals might not search effectively, lack access to alternative support programmes, and may be disregarded by employers due to perceived higher hiring costs.

Refugees’ Self-Selection into Europe: Who Migrates Where?

“…Migrants escaping major conflicts (such as the fighting in Syria) may well benefit from receiving early access to language courses and other basic training while waiting for decisions on their asylum applications. Battisti et al (2018) show that certain groups of refugees can increase their labor market outcomes though a basic job search assistance program. Prompt access to employment will also help migrants to integrate better into society (OECD, 2018).…”

The impact of co-national networks on asylum seekers’ employment: Quasi-experimental evidence from Germany

“…In the first 15 months after their registration, asylum seekers who originate from places that are not considered as 'safe countries of origin' are required to request a work permit from the Foreigners' Office and cannot become self-employed or work for a temporary work agency. In theory, the Foreigners' Office has the obligation to assert that an appropriate wage is paid and that no EU citizen is willing to accept the same job [26]. In practice, however, the vast majority of employment contracts were approved by the Foreigners' Office [12].…”

“…At latest after the 15th month since arrival, or if the asylum procedure results in granting refugee status or subsidiary protection, all employment restrictions are lifted and applicants can participate normally in the labour market. Rejected applicants may apply for work permits as long as they stay within the country, but have to undergo the Foreigners' Office priority checks [26].…”

Labor Market Integration of Low-Educated Refugees: RCT Evidence from an Ambitious Integration Program in Sweden

“…In recent years, large inflows of refugees to many Western (European) countries has spurred a substantial and frequently intense and heated debate on how to best integrate immigrants in their new countries (see, for instance, the discussion in Hangartner and Sarvimäki, 2017). As a consequence, finding successful integration policies is at the top of the political agenda, as getting this group of immigrants well-integrated is considered crucial from the perspective of both the individuals and the host countries (see, for instance, Dustmann et al, 2017, Hangartner and Sarvimäki, 2017, and Battisti et al, 2019.…”