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Refugee 'disturbing' job chances | |
(1 day later) | |
The Welsh Refugee Council (WRC) says it has found "disturbing" levels of unemployment among refugees, despite the fact they are highly qualified. | The Welsh Refugee Council (WRC) says it has found "disturbing" levels of unemployment among refugees, despite the fact they are highly qualified. |
The body said 60% of refugees have a further or higher education qualification but 64% are unemployed. | |
A lack of language or computer skills as well as insufficient work experience in Britain were highlighted as the main obstacles to employment. | A lack of language or computer skills as well as insufficient work experience in Britain were highlighted as the main obstacles to employment. |
Of those questioned for the Refugee Skills Audit Report, 27% had degrees. | |
Before being forced to flee their home country, 78% had been working for employers, were self-employed or in a family business. | Before being forced to flee their home country, 78% had been working for employers, were self-employed or in a family business. |
"I was the owner of a large factory and had more than 100 people working for me before I had to give it all up and flee my country." Refugee living in Cardiff | "I was the owner of a large factory and had more than 100 people working for me before I had to give it all up and flee my country." Refugee living in Cardiff |
A total of 363 questionnaires were completed by refugees in Cardiff, Newport, Swansea and Wrexham. | A total of 363 questionnaires were completed by refugees in Cardiff, Newport, Swansea and Wrexham. |
They had been translated into Kurdish, Somali, Arabic and French. | They had been translated into Kurdish, Somali, Arabic and French. |
There are currently at least 10,000 refugees in Wales, according to the WRC's estimates. | There are currently at least 10,000 refugees in Wales, according to the WRC's estimates. |
Eid Ali Ahmed, the WRC's deputy chief executive, said: "The findings reveal disturbing levels of unemployment amongst refugee communities in Wales, despite their being relatively highly qualified. | Eid Ali Ahmed, the WRC's deputy chief executive, said: "The findings reveal disturbing levels of unemployment amongst refugee communities in Wales, despite their being relatively highly qualified. |
"We now need to work together to reverse this trend if our communities are to be truly inclusive and cohesive." | "We now need to work together to reverse this trend if our communities are to be truly inclusive and cohesive." |
Following the questionnaires, focus groups which refugees helped organise and run, were held in the four areas of Wales to discuss the findings in more depth. | Following the questionnaires, focus groups which refugees helped organise and run, were held in the four areas of Wales to discuss the findings in more depth. |
NATIONALITIES QUESTIONED Kurdish - 25%Somali - 18%Iranian - 12%Sudanese - 18%Eritrean - 8% | NATIONALITIES QUESTIONED Kurdish - 25%Somali - 18%Iranian - 12%Sudanese - 18%Eritrean - 8% |
In Cardiff, one refugee said: "I was the owner of a large factory and had more than 100 people working for me before I had to give it all up and flee my country. | In Cardiff, one refugee said: "I was the owner of a large factory and had more than 100 people working for me before I had to give it all up and flee my country. |
"I lived very well and I could afford anything I wanted. Here I have to live off handouts and I can't get a job." | "I lived very well and I could afford anything I wanted. Here I have to live off handouts and I can't get a job." |
One man had completed a masters degree in his home country, where all post-16 education is taught in English and based on the UK curriculum. | One man had completed a masters degree in his home country, where all post-16 education is taught in English and based on the UK curriculum. |
At all of the groups, lack of language and/or computer skills was highlighted as one of the top two barriers to getting work. | At all of the groups, lack of language and/or computer skills was highlighted as one of the top two barriers to getting work. |
In Newport and Swansea, refugees said lack of work experience in Britain was the main obstacle. | In Newport and Swansea, refugees said lack of work experience in Britain was the main obstacle. |
Mike Lewis, the WRC's chief executive, said: "This report is the first of its kind in Wales and demonstrates that refugees have a huge amount to offer the labour market here and across the UK." | Mike Lewis, the WRC's chief executive, said: "This report is the first of its kind in Wales and demonstrates that refugees have a huge amount to offer the labour market here and across the UK." |
Their aim, he said, was to break down barriers highlighted in the report, such as lack of Esol (English for Speakers of Other Languages) classes and non-recognition of overseas qualifications and experience. | Their aim, he said, was to break down barriers highlighted in the report, such as lack of Esol (English for Speakers of Other Languages) classes and non-recognition of overseas qualifications and experience. |
Recommendations | Recommendations |
The report makes a string of recommendation for the Welsh Assembly Government, the UK government, Job Centre Plus and other bodies. | The report makes a string of recommendation for the Welsh Assembly Government, the UK government, Job Centre Plus and other bodies. |
Among them are increasing the number of language classes and teachers and providing financial incentives for refugees setting up in business. | Among them are increasing the number of language classes and teachers and providing financial incentives for refugees setting up in business. |
The report was complied as part of the WRC's Equal project which helps refugees to get into work, training and enterprise. | The report was complied as part of the WRC's Equal project which helps refugees to get into work, training and enterprise. |
Refugees who have found jobs or work experience through the project will tell their stories at Monday's conference. | Refugees who have found jobs or work experience through the project will tell their stories at Monday's conference. |
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