I need good employment. Not just a job, but good employment" The Meaning, Restrictions and Determinants of Refugees' Labor Market Integration According to Refugees' and Jobcenters' Perceptions

Abstract

"Based on qualitative interviews with refugees and employees in ›Jobcenters‹ (official labor market agencies) in Germany, this contribution assesses the meaning which refugees associate with employment and confronts these perceptions with Jobcenters’ points of view. Amartya Sen’s Capability Approach provides the conceptual framework by focusing on real freedoms, notably of vulnerable groups. With respect to refugees, the question arises whether these dispose of sufficient capabilities and agency in the integration process to shape their life according to own life goals. The analysis of the interviews shows the meaning refugees personally attach to employment to go far beyond income generation which emphasizes the multidimensionality of human capabilities. This results in refugees’ high self-motivation which Jobcenters perceive in ambivalent ways. At the same time, stereotypes and uncertainties in social interactions with refugees impede their social and labor market integration." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Cite article

Scheu, T., Schmidtke, J. & Volkert, J. (2020): "Ich brauche gute Arbeit. Nicht einfach Arbeit, aber gute Arbeit" Bedeutung, Hürden und Einflussfaktoren der Arbeitsmarktintegration Geflüchteter aus Sicht von Geflüchteten und Jobcentern. In: Z'Flucht. Zeitschrift für Flucht- und Flüchtlingsforschung, Vol. 4, No. 2, p. 181-212. DOI:10.5771/2509-9485-2020-2-181