What is refugee labour mobility or displaced talent mobility?

Refugee labour mobility is the movement of refugees between countries for employment. 

Refugees face a number of barriers when trying to relocate for work. Refugee labour mobility programs (sometimes known as complementary labour pathways, or displaced talent programs) are designed to remove these barriers and help refugees and other displaced people access labour pathways. 

Common features of refugee labour mobility programs include: 

• Waivers of requirements that are challenging for refugees (such as having a bank account or demonstrating that there is a safe country they can return to)
• Special facilitation measures to help eligible candidates demonstrate that they meet criteria for economic migration (such as flexibility in the provision of typically required documents)
• Assistance provided to refugees to ‘level the playing field’ – such as guidance on job applications and preparing for interviews and securing financial support to cover application costs.

Today, several countries have developed programs specifically to attract displaced talent. Hundreds of employers are hiring refugees from abroad through these programs, and thousands of refugees are moving with their families to begin jobs in countries where they can fully exercise their rights.