Arbeitsmarktaktivierung im Interesse geflüchteter Frauen ?

The interests of female refugees can be considered as weak within the welfare state. Rarely perceived as independent subjects, aspects of their living conditions such as temporary residence permits, care obligations and a lack of paid labour participation hamper them from organising and enforcing their own interests. Moreover, not much is known about their gender and migration specific needs. This article presents qualitative research on the labour market participation of female refugees, focusing on the experiences of these women. It gives an overview of their interests regarding their participation in paid labour and how these interests are addressed by the job centres. The findings show that female refugees seldom manage to enforce their particular interests e. g. in qualified employment. At the same time the actions of representatives for equal opportunities on the labour market (Beauftragte für Chancengleichheit am Arbeitsmarkt) as advocates of this group follow a certain orientation towards female refugees as the “Other”. Official structures that fade out multiple discrimination based on gender or religion complicate the appropriate addressing of heterogeneous target groups within the German labour administration.