Introduction: key issues

This chapter examines the refugee sector's role in facilitating refugee entry into the labour market in the UK and the barriers faced by refugees in an environment dominated by tightening borders, tough legislation and policies, the current ‘employability’ model, employers’ prejudice and discrimination and general hostility towards refugees and asylum seekers. The aim is to examine how practice at agency level could be influenced by and can influence policy and how a global understanding of refugee issues can affect the way refugees are treated at local level. This is of particular significance in a European context since the strength of the voluntary and community sector in the UK is unparalleled in Europe.

The analysis relies on the voices of refugees, drawing on the findings of the SEQUAL research carried out by London Metropolitan University and the work of the Refugee Assessment and Guidance Unit (RAGU) as one of the chief agencies in London responsible for the development and delivery of a range of services to refugees and asylum seekers in the fields of education, training and employment.

The research was carried out in a rapidly changing environment for refugees, following the publication in 2005 of two major policies by the Home Office and the Department for Work and Pensions, which subsequently led to many changes. In order to locate the chapter in a wider context it is essential to have a brief look at the refugee situation at the UK and global level. Although the chapter focuses on London it has a national relevance. It relies on the voices of refugees, the agencies that support them and employers. Refugees’ employment prospects are examined in the light of broader government policies and the limitations they impose.

Setting the scene: refugees, government policies and the labour market

The Office of United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) published its most recent report on refugees in April 2006. The number of refugees fell 12% in 2005 to 8.4 million (UNHCR, 2006). The fall in Europe is mainly due to tightening borders and the ‘deterrence’ policies on asylum. Since September 2001, the European states have become more concerned with international terrorism and security issues and have become increasingly restrictive towards asylum seekers and refugees.