Within the European Union, ESG-related regulatory measures are reshaping the way companies, non-profits and governments operate. According to the United Nations, the annual global spending by both governments and the private sector to achieve ESG-related goals is about $5 trillion, equivalent to more than 6% of global GDP.
As one of today’s biggest social challenges involves forced migration and the urgently needed support for people involved, companies need to rethink their social responsibilities within their sustainability strategies. One of the core ‘social’ components of their corporate responsibility includes the support of marginalised groups and the promotion of inclusive practices to enable their integration.
In 2023, a record number of refugees fled their homes in search of safety and a better life. According to the United Nations and UNHCR, more than 100 million people were forcibly displaced, including 32 million refugees and 5 million asylum seekers. This crisis is fuelled by geopolitical events, climate change and inequality. Studies predict that 1 billion people (equivalent to 1/8 of the world's population) will be displaced by 2050 due to climate impacts alone. The refugee crisis is not only a humanitarian problem but also has an impact on the financial market, geographical stability and social cohesion.
Corporate engagement: a key player in refugee integration
Immigrants are an important driver of the economy and cultural diversity, which is why developed countries should embrace them rather than reject them. The corporate landscape has the capability of undertaking various initiatives in order to support the social and economic integration of refugees. Where to begin?
One framework to evaluate and track corporate initiatives, specifically related to refugee investments, is the Refugee Lens Scorecard. It is a methodology developed by the Refugee Investment Network (RIN) to assess corporate actions related to refugees. The Scorecard consists of 6 pillars, categorised according to their ‘refugee integration score’.
refugee lens scorecard by the Refugee Investment Network
This scorecard illustrates the different ways companies can have a positive impact on refugees. Within the worldwide Great Place To Work network, we see that both global and local companies are starting to invest in interventions to increase workplace diversity, equity and inclusion. Why shouldn’t they?
- Diverse and inclusive teams are the key to unlocking innovation
- Augmentation of Employee Experience as company pride and ‘a sense of purpose’ increase
- Improvement of brand reputation in the eyes of customers and stakeholders
DHL Express (part of the 2023 People Companies that Care List of Great Place To Work US) has operations in over 220 countries and territories, and has been an active participant in refugee resettlement programs for years. DHL offers three kinds of support:
- Language and cultural support. This involves local language training, including language guides, translations of contractor documents, and connection to publicly available resources, such as government-funded cultural training.
- Internal networks and mentoring. This includes programs that connect employees who are refugees to other DHL employees for mentorship opportunities and job training.
- Community partnership. DHL partners with local refugee organizations in the country where a refugee employee has relocated, depending on the resources made available by local governments. These partnerships help refugees integrate into their new community with language classes and job placement when an open role at DHL isn’t available
One of Belgium’s Best Workplaces of 2023, AE – Adapt and Enable, demonstrated their commitment to supporting a non-native who was eager to pursue his first job in IT within Belgium. AE facilitated a work permit, enrolled the individual in Dutch language courses, and tailored an IT training program to his needs. Eventually, AE leveraged their network of partners and shareholders to secure a job opportunity that aligned with the individual’s skills and aspirations. This investment in time and resources offered this individual an optimistic perspective on the future.
At Accenture (part of the 2023 People Companies that Care List of Great Place To Work US), an employee resource group (ERG) for refugees offers the opportunity for all employees to participate in programs to support refugees. Accenture employees volunteer with local resettlement agencies, participate in donation drives and work with partners to support refugee job seekers through résumé reviews, practice interviews and training workshops. Accenture employees also partner with legal and government groups to offer legal clinics to help asylum seekers with the application process.
When it comes to ‘Education & Skills Development’, one of Belgium’s Best Workplaces of 2023 Axxes decided to use their own core business to support refugees in their integration. Several employees within Axxes have been coaching refugees and migrants in software development. By doing this, they help these people enhance their knowledge and skills in IT and find opportunities in the labour market. Not only does Axxes help refugees to find a job, but it brings Axxes also closer to a wider and more diverse talent pool. The result: a win-win situation. Some consultants who’ve played an active coaching role in this collaboration even have decided to commit on an independent basis.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, the integration of refugees is a shared responsibility in which businesses play an important role. Business leaders have the power to turn the narrative around immigration into a positive one by actively participating in initiatives that support refugee self-reliance. By embracing diversity, equity, and inclusion, businesses can harness the talents and resilience of refugees, creating opportunities for mutual growth and prosperity.
Sources:
Refugee Integration Insights (RII) (2023). Corporate Leaders in Refugee Economic Integration.
Kitterman, T. (2023). How Top Employers Support Refugees in the Workplace. Great Place To Work US.
Dambisa, M. (2022). 10 ESG Questions Companies Need to Answer. Harvard Business Review.
Temple-West, P. (2021). Where does the refugee crisis fit within the ESG agenda? Financial Times.
Pwc (2022). What does the S of ESG mean to your organisation?
Beard, A. (2022). The Case for Welcoming Immigrants. The Magazine.
Johansson, F. & Hastwell, C. (2023). Why Diverse and Inclusive Teams are the Engines of Innovation. Great Place To Work US.
Agenda, D. (2023). How to better integrate refugees into the labour market. World Economic Forum