Labour Market Integration

Abstract

In this study, the author explores the stories of twelve refugees and their experiences after having attended the Establishment Programme, a Swedish labour market integration policy. The personal narratives and the Establishment Programme were analysed through qualitative methods; semi-structured interviews and thematic analysis. The first aim of this study is to analyse what aspects of integration, and how these aspects are included in the Establishment Programme. The second aim is to evaluate and present the effects the Establishment Programme had on the economic integration of refugees based on the experiences of these participants. Thus, three research questions have been answered: 1. What aspects of integration can be found in the Establishment Programme? How does the Establishment Programme develop and stimulate the economic integration of refugees? 2. What are the refugees’ experiences of the Establishment Programme? How relevant did the refugees find the Establishment Programme for their economic integration? 3. What are the effects of the Establishment Programme in terms of the economic integration of refugees? What are its limitations and achievements? Some of the results include the interdependence of dimensions of integration e.g. economic and social, and their effects on the labour market participation of refugees. Additionally, results show that the social networks of the participants determined their integration in the Swedish labour market. The results, depicted in a model of integration, present new aspects of integration which the author suggests for the Establishment Programme. These suggestions consist of strengthening the role of the host community as well as increasing the accountability of the newcomers.