Refugee Employment In Bulgaria: Why National Integration Policy Matters

This paper highlights the importance of the state’s role in refugee employment in Bulgaria. In this line of thinking, it analyses the current labour market’s needs in Bulgaria and the opportunity for more beneficiaries of international protection to compensate, at least to some extent, the manpower shortage in the country. The present study shows that in the current political and security context political actors and widespread local perceptions towards refugees negatively affect the integration of the latter, hindering the adoption of a national integration policy in Bulgaria. Concerning this, the paper argues that such a policy will improve refugees’ employability in a long-term perspective as well as the relationship between them and the local population. Thus, it will benefit the national economy and act as a preventive tool in terms of threats to national security that may arise from the potential marginalization of beneficiaries of international protection.