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Refugees' Economic Integration and Firms

Author

Listed:
  • Cole, Matthew A.

    (University of Birmingham)

  • Jabbour, Liza

    (University of Birmingham)

  • Ozgen, Ceren

    (University of Birmingham)

  • Yumoto, Hiromi

    (University of Essex)

Abstract

We explore whether a civic integration component dedicated to labor market training (the ONA) boosts refugees' economic outcomes and the quality of firms they work for. Using linked employer-employee administrative data from 2014 to 2021 for the Netherlands and Regression Discontinuity design we find that taking the ONA sped up the economic integration of refugees for 3 years in terms of increased employment probability, hours worked and higher hourly wages. We further show that taking the ONA results in refugees working for larger, less labor-intensive and less routine-task intensive firms and experiencing increased job stability. The ONA benefits male and female refugees and particularly those from Syria.

Suggested Citation

  • Cole, Matthew A. & Jabbour, Liza & Ozgen, Ceren & Yumoto, Hiromi, 2024. "Refugees' Economic Integration and Firms," IZA Discussion Papers 16828, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp16828
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    refugees; firms; labor market performance; integration exam; Netherlands;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J08 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - General - - - Labor Economics Policies
    • J15 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Minorities, Races, Indigenous Peoples, and Immigrants; Non-labor Discrimination

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