Refugee women experience higher rates of unemployment than others. This high rate of unemployment and the underemployment and low pay of the minority who are working has negative consequences not only for the individual but also for society as a whole. For the individual low levels of economic participation and under-employment can result in de-skilling and can erode self-esteem. For society low levels of employment and low pay impact on economic growth and result in wider social exclusion. A recent report by the government has noted the economic and social costs of high rates of unemployment and under-employment among ethnic minorities as a whole.

 

Training is known to be an important route through which unemployed people gain access to the labor market. However, the take-up of training among refugees is not enough. Therefore, we would like to offer refugee women both - training and opportunity for the first employment

 

What for?

 

To contribute to the formation of a more healthy and inclusive society by engaging refugee women in training and economic activity.

 

We believe that for every newcomer in the Netherlands it is crucial to learn the language, get introduced to the social norms of everyday behavior, make social contacts, build a social life and create the bridges of mutual respect and recognition with locals which is achievable via economic activity because it develops a sense of shared ownership.

 

Often newcomers, specifically refugees, are blamed for consuming services and benefits yerned by local people, that were/are paying taxes. Therefore we want to create circumstances enabling refugee women getting skills and jobs and paying taxes, which will contribute significantly to their integration process into the new society.

 

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