Hiring refugees: social and economic wealth

Taking in refugees is a burden on the economy. This is the kind of argument we can hear from those who do not want to welcome these women and men who have fled their countries of origin because of conflict, persecution, discrimination or good economic reasons. However, welcoming and employing refugees can be a real wealth for France and Europe, both from a social and economic point of view. In any case, this is what the company defends with a mission each by connecting the needs of companies with those of new entrants. The evidence with five positive economic and social effects of refugee employment on our societies.

#1. An advantage for the global economy

No, the reception of refugees on its territory does not weigh on the local economy. Several members of the Economic Analysis Council (CAE) have shown this in a publication in November 2021. Already now, because the costs incurred for refugees (they are about 550,000, of which 118,000 are in the asylum application process) is compensated by their involvement in life, and thus the local economy. The CAE also writes “The aid to refugees, whether monetary or direct in the form of the provision of goods and services, translates into an immediate increase in national consumption in the form of housing, food and/or services. Obviously, this aid is akin to a plan to revive the economy through consumption.reports 20 minutes.

In a study published in the journal Science Advances, we also read that migration flows have positive effects on the economies of European countries † “they significantly increase GDP per capita, reduce unemployment, improve the balance of public finances; the additional government spending (…) is more than offset by the increase in tax revenues”† Moreover, these effects can be observed within one to two years.

#2. A powerful recruiting lever

Recruiting and attracting talent is sometimes a real economic challenge for companies. Refugees then represent a powerful lever for new profiles which some companies cannot do without. For example, Claude Bouillard, Managing Director of Scalandes, the Leclerc Group’s purchasing center and storage platform, explains that his company “must find profiles, human resources, talents elsewhere than in its natural pool”† She found these profiles in newcomers by calling them all.

The structures that call on each One benefit from full support in their integration project and can even organize workshops to make their employees aware of how to welcome refugees and newcomers. Training that anyone can do understanding the challenges of inclusion professional, but also to be involved in welcoming these new talents, but also a great way to break down prejudices and stereotypes about these men and women and open the minds of its employees.

#3. Sustainable jobs

Hiring refugees also means fighting insecurity in France. According to the Immigration and Asylum Observatory of Ifri’s Center for Migration and Citizenship, a year after obtaining a residence permit, 22% of refugees are unemployed and 19% inactive while 17% are studying, Le Figaro reports. France is therefore confronted with a real social and financial problem due to this dominant professional instability among refugees.

By employing refugees with a long-term contract, offering them training and a professional network, they can get out of the precarious situation faster and participate in the economic life of their host country† In addition, refugee workers have up to 15% lower employee turnover than their non-refugee counterparts, according to the Tent Partnership for Refugees. For example, at Scalandes, the twelve people who joined the company to learn a trade were hired on a permanent contract under the All-in-one program. A great success that the purchasing center would like to continue, always in the company of everyone.

#4. Diverse and more efficient teams

The few studies conducted on the subject prove it: the more mixed and diversified a team is, the more important its performance. For example, the Boston Consulting Group published a study titled: “Inclusive cultures have healthier and happier employees” and performed on 16,000 people in 16 countries, including France. The conclusions of the BCG are without objection: an inclusive corporate culture has a direct impact on organizational performance both financially and in terms of team creativity, details Les Echos.

At this point, companies that have chosen to recruit refugees have seen the emergence of very positive synergies within their teams. We already told you about it here. Something to think twice about always recruiting the umpteenth same profile at the same top business or technical schools…

#5. People integrated faster

Companies have the power to accelerate the social integration of refugees† “It takes an average of ten years for a refugee to regain a socio-professional status that is comparable to that in his country of origin”, recalls Fanny Prigent, co-founder and CGO of each of them. This is about“a dead loss for these people and a loss of value for the society that integrates them”†

Karam Hassan, now responsible for communications at the L’Oréal Foundation, experienced this accelerated integration after his arrival in France. “I am on the right track to succeed in my professional life”he confides, “and what I learned today, I never thought I would learn in a year and a half”† For six years, Each One has supported more than 2,000 talents on their way to sustainable employment across France. The goal: to support 10,000 refugees and newcomers a year from 2025 on their way to sustainable employment. 100,000 per year from 2030.

Know more about the inclusion of refugees and newcomers † Visit .’s websiteeach and discover innovative recruitment and inclusion solutions †