With the widespread migration of refugees to many OECD countries, policymakers are grappling with how to effectively integrate the large number of refugees and other asylum seekers into the workforce. On January 28, representatives from the Business and Industry Advisory Committee (BIAC) to the OECD met with the UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi to discuss the view of business on migration and the integration of refugees in labor markets.

The event coincided with the a release of a release a new OECD booklet on experiences, policy lessons and good practice in the integration of refugees and other groups in need of protection, developed over the last year in consultation with OECD member countries and social partners.

In his message to governments and other high-level participants, BIAC Secretary General Bernard Welschke called for advanced skills recognition on the national level, immediate and intensive language training, and targeted programs to better facilitate the integration of beneficiaries of international protection and other migrants into local labor markets. He also emphasized the importance of a consistent and efficient process to clarify the status of humanitarian migrants and refugees as this is a critical factor to determine their perspectives in labor markets.