FARIM 2 – Female beneficiaries of asylum and subsidiary protection in the labour market

Findings of international studies have shown a difference in the employment process of refugees and other migrant groups. Beneficiaries of asylum have a considerably lower employment rate in the first years of their residence but then catch up with other migrant groups later on. Moreover, female beneficiaries of asylum have a higher unemployment rate than their male counterparts although this is not rooted in a lack of interest in employment. There is certainly awareness among refugee women in Austria on the significance of employment for their individual situation; however, the actual labour market participation lags behind their aspirations. Despite a high level of employment orientation, refugee women are not well integrated into the labour market compared to their male counterparts.

Based on the findings of the first FARIM study, FARIM 2 analyses several examples of good practice from relevant integration projects for sustainable labour market integration of refugee women in Austria (Lower Austria, Upper Austria, and Vienna) and Germany (North Rhine-Westphalia). This second study focuses on measures supporting the continuation of labour market integration during a family phase.

For this purpose, qualitative interviews were conducted with experts and refugee women in both countries. The study's overall objective is to provide a basis for the further development of integration measures aiming at a sustainable labour market integration of women entitled to asylum and subsidiary protection in Austria.