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Safe Employment Integration of Recent Immigrants and Refugees

Author

Listed:
  • Agnieszka Kosny

    (Institute for Work & Health
    University of Toronto)

  • Basak Yanar

    (Institute for Work & Health)

  • Momtaz Begum

    (Institute for Work & Health)

  • Dina Al-khooly

    (Institute for Work & Health)

  • Stephanie Premji

    (School of Labour Studies and Department of Health Aging and Society at McMaster University)

  • Morgan A. Lay

    (Institute for Work & Health
    CIHR Institute of Population & Public Health)

  • Peter M. Smith

    (Institute for Work & Health
    University of Toronto)

Abstract

This study examined the employment preparation and work experiences of recent immigrants and refugees in Ontario, Canada, to determine key resource needs and opportunities related to safe work integration. In-depth interviews were conducted with 22 service providers, program developers, and policy-makers from the immigration and employment fields. Eighteen focus groups were held with 110 recent immigrants and refugees who were looking for work or who had recently found work. An exploratory qualitative approach was used to collect and analyze the data. First jobs were often characterized by precarity and poor working conditions. Most recent immigrants and refugees had little knowledge about their rights at work and were not sure what to do when mistreated or were asked to do something unsafe at work. The settlement and employment programs that included occupational health and safety information were not systematic and were hindered by a lack of consistent funding and diffusion of responsibility. We identify optimal points in the settlement process where information can be provided, and some of the roles that can be played most effectively by service agencies, regulatory bodies, and employers.

Suggested Citation

  • Agnieszka Kosny & Basak Yanar & Momtaz Begum & Dina Al-khooly & Stephanie Premji & Morgan A. Lay & Peter M. Smith, 2020. "Safe Employment Integration of Recent Immigrants and Refugees," Journal of International Migration and Integration, Springer, vol. 21(3), pages 807-827, September.
  • Handle: RePEc:spr:joimai:v:21:y:2020:i:3:d:10.1007_s12134-019-00685-w
    DOI: 10.1007/s12134-019-00685-w
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    3. Casey Warman & Arthur Sweetman & Gustave Goldmann, 2015. "The Portability of New Immigrants' Human Capital: Language, Education, and Occupational Skills," Canadian Public Policy, University of Toronto Press, vol. 41(s1), pages 64-79, August.
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    Cited by:

    1. Sonja Senthanar & Mieke Koehoorn & Lillian Tamburic & Stephanie Premji & Ute Bültmann & Christopher B. McLeod, 2021. "Differences in Work Disability Duration for Immigrants and Canadian-Born Workers in British Columbia, Canada," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(22), pages 1-16, November.
    2. Ortlieb, Renate & Knappert, Lena, 2023. "Labor market integration of refugees: An institutional country-comparative perspective," Journal of International Management, Elsevier, vol. 29(2).

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