Resources for employers in Armenia
Resources for employers in Armenia
We use "refugees" to encompass forcibly displaced people with different legal statuses, such as refugees, subsidiary protection holders, temporary protection holders, asylum seekers, and others needing international protection.
In cases where differentiating information relating to each status is essential (i.e. regarding the right to work), this is clearly indicated.
Why hire refugees and stateless people in Armenia?
Over the years, Armenia has faced and addressed several waves of displacement, providing international protection and life-saving assistance to thousands of refugees, including around 360,000 ethnic Armenian refugees from Azerbaijan in 1988-1992 and over 90,000 during the six weeks of conflict towards the end of 2020. In September 2023, an average of 15,000 people arrived in Armenia per day.
As of September 2024, the total number of new arrivals was 115,366, who received immediate access to socio-economic rights through temporary protection granted by the Armenian authorities. In 2012-2018, some 22,000 people, primarily of ethnic Armenian origin, from Syria found protection in Armenia. Overall forcibly displaced people constitute around 5% of Armenia’s population and require a coordinated effort to facilitate their integration and self-reliance over the long run.
The private sector in Armenia can play an essential role in the inclusion of refugees and stateless people in the labour market. Through decent work, refugees and stateless people can provide for their families’ needs, maintain their dignity, become more resilient and be empowered to shape their future. Being able to work and make use of their skills and talents also allows refugees to contribute to their host communities. At the same time, refugees and stateless people can contribute considerably to the local economy and fill labour shortages and skills gaps, especially in agriculture, healthcare, industry, and construction sectors. Thanks to the inflow of refugees, Armenia's economy is expected to grow by 1.7%, according to the EBRD.
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) in Armenia has launched a Refugee Response Plan program to facilitate refugees' labour market integration. The program includes vocational training developed following the requirements of corporate partners to ensure maximum relevance for their needs. For example, 25 refugees were hired by Apricot Market after being trained in Microsoft Excel and English for Basic Communication, Customer Relationships and Recent Labor Legislation amendments. In contrast, Daroink hired 35 after training in sales and English for Basic Communication. In addition, the EBRD developed a capacity-building program for digital entrepreneurial capacity and provided grants to relocated MSMEs.
How many refugees and stateless people are there in Armenia?
As of June 2024, the total number of forcibly displaced people in Armenia is 149,270. This includes 143,905 refugees, of whom 140,881 are from Azerbaijan; 4,124 people in refugee-like situations (primarily from Syria); and 839 asylum-seekers. As of mid-2024, there were approximately 402 recorded stateless people and people of undetermined nationality in Armenia.
Visit the Refugee Data Finder to learn more
How many of them are working?
Based on governmental data, some 16,300 refugees from Nagorno-Karabakh had officially listed jobs in Armenia as of April 2024. Based on a survey conducted by People in Need among 376 refugees from Nagorno Karabakh in 2023, 74% reported that neither they nor their family members have been able to find employment since being displaced, while 19% indicated that they or their family members have found full-time employment and 7% had found part-time employment. Half of those employed were working in the same profession as before displacement. The most common professions of refugees after displacement range from constructors, guards, taxi drivers, machinists, teachers, bakers, nurses, call centre operators, and workers in various factories.
What are the main challenges?
According to the People in Need survey among refugees from Nagorno Karabakh, 81% expressed a desire to find a job. However, some of the challenges which refugees and stateless people are facing include 1) the scarcity of available jobs and insufficient salaries; 2) the lack of employment history for younger individuals; 3) the ageism experienced by those over the age of 50; 4) the existence of fraudulent portals for finding work which exposes individuals to underpaid or informal work and creates the risk of labour trafficking. Stateless people without legal recognition or status are not entitled to work legally and may face significant barriers in finding employment.
Read the report by Care and UN Women, “Armenia Refugee Crisis: Gender Analysis”
UNHCR Armenia has a network of strategic alliances with Private Partners to expand humanitarian aid, innovate for impact, and promote livelihood opportunities. Partners include Inditex, Nike, Yeremyan, Mariott, Hestra Gloves, Essity, and Zvarnots Airport. Private sector companies interested in becoming a partner of UNHCR in Armenia can get in touch with the national office at this email: [email protected]
| Status | Who it applies to | Right to work? |
| Asylum-seekers | Individuals who have applied for international protection in Armenia but still have not received a decision on their application. | Asylum seekers have the right to work in Armenia, except for cases where Armenian citizenship is legally obligatory (for example, work at state and local self-government bodies). |
| Refugee status | Individuals who have a well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion, or who are fleeing due to massive violations of human rights, widespread violence, foreign attack, internal conflicts, or severe violations of public order. | Refugees have the right to work in Armenia, except in cases where Armenian citizenship is legally obligatory (for example, work at state and local self-government bodies). |
| Stateless person | A stateless person is someone who is not considered as a citizen by any country (whether recognized as such or not) | Recognized stateless persons have the right to work in Armenia. A work permit is required. Applicants for statelessness status are not allowed to work. |
Bear in mind:
To respond to the influx of over 100,000 following the escalation of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict in September 2023, the Government of Armenia adopted a decree granting temporary protection for one year, which was extended until December 2025. People granted temporary protection are recognized as refugees based on a group determination, without the need to apply for and benefit from all rights and entitlements granted to refugees.
Armenia lacks a legal procedure for people in refugee-like situations who are outside their country of origin and in need of international protection but do not qualify for refugee status. One example is Syrian Armenians who migrated to Armenia in the aftermath of the 2012-2014 civil war in Syria. Their number reached 23,000, but only 1,000 of them received refugee status. The Armenian government introduced a simplified procedure to acquire citizenship. It provided an ad hoc solution to determine the legal status of this target group.
In 1988-1992, more than half a million Armenians were forcibly displaced from Azerbaijan, and 360,000 of them found refuge in Armenia. Registry data from 1997 show that the number of refugees in Armenia was around 310,000.
How do I connect with refugee talent?
Employers interested in hiring refugees can contact various NGOs, which can make referrals to suitable candidates. Many of these organizations provide additional support, such as psychosocial counselling, vocational training, and childcare for refugees with children. These include the Armenian Red Cross Society (ARCS), People in Need Armenia, KASA Swiss Humanitarian Foundation, and IOM. See this booklet for more information on the services provided by UNHCR and its partners.
What can I do to support refugee and stateless employees?
Companies can take several steps to create a more refugee and stateless-friendly recruitment and onboarding process. For example, 1) ensuring that the conditions offered, such as remuneration, working hours, and benefits, are in line with the standards of living and allow candidates to thrive in their workplace; 2) creating programs for young candidates with limited professional experience, such as internships or apprenticeships; 3) giving individuals over 50 years old an opportunity to work, and providing reskilling in digital skills or other skills where appropriate; 4) ensuring that refugees and stateless people are hired formally with long-term contracts to avoid informal and precarious labour conditions.
Useful resources
Governmental program
Employers can benefit from the employment program for people displaced from Nagorno-Karabakh through regional Unified Social Service (USS) centers. The program offers short-term training courses and work experience opportunities, and by 2023, over 1,000 refugees had received job counselling and found employment through it.
Employment of teachers
The Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs has enabled teachers from Nagorno Karabakh to work in educational institutions. They are provided with a 30 per cent supplement to the teacher's salary. An additional fixed 50,000 AMD supplement is planned for academic institutions in several regions.
Employment of medical workers
To promote the employment of medical professionals displaced from Nagorno-Karabakh, up to 100 medical workers have received certificates to practice, and 700 medical workers have received free training. The program foresees up to 1,200 individuals benefiting from this measure.
“Skills for Employment” toolkit prepared by IKEA with best practices on how employers can open employment pathways for refugees
Refugee Crisis in Armenia Rapid Needs Assessment Report 2023 by People in Need
An interactive map with the available services and activities by international organizations and NGOs in Armenia