© UNHCR/Angelina Tsoukala
UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, in close cooperation with the Ministry of Migration and Asylum and the Reception and Identification Service, organized on 18 May the first employability event for local employers and refugees in the Closed Controlled Access Centre of Chios (VIAL), following the interest expressed by local employers.
During the event, approximately 130 refugees and asylum seekers from Palestine, Sierra Leone, Somalia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and other countries had the opportunity to receive information about access to work, the required documents, as well as the relevant labor rights and obligations. Approximately 30 refugees held discussions and meetings with 12 local employers, from sectors such as agriculture, mainly on the cultivation of mastic, catering, tourism, hotel businesses and construction. A total of 18 local employers attended the job fair and expressed interest to include refugees in their workforce. Following the completion of the event and the successful conduct of more than 40 interviews, 12 people received job offers or interest in being employed, while discussions and contacts, that may lead to further recruitments, are ongoing.
This is a hopeful result, which clearly shows that refugees can find decent employment, contribute and become self-sufficient, in accordance with the National Integration Strategy of Greece. It also indicates that employers are interested not only in meeting the existing needs of the local labor market but also in having diversity in their workforce.
All participants found the event constructive and useful. “I spoke with a construction company and I expect they will contact me to offer me a job. I can now start dreaming of my life in Greece,” said a refugee from Sierra Leone.
Many actors and organizations contributed to the successful implementation of the Job Fair on Chios, including: METAdrasi, PRAKSIS, Chios Municipality Women’s Counseling Center, Chios Municipality Community Center, International Organization for Migration, Equal Rights Beyond Borders and Refugee Biriyani and Bananas.
Thank you very much!
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