Journal of International Migration and Integration
2019

“Can Someone Help Me?” Refugee Women’s Experiences of Using Settlement Agencies to Find Work in Canada (Article)

Senthanar S.* , MacEachen E. , Premji S. , Bigelow P.
  • a School of Public Health and Health Systems, University of Waterloo, 200 University Ave W, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada
  • b School of Public Health and Health Systems, University of Waterloo, 200 University Ave W, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada
  • c School of Labour Studies and Department of Health, Aging & Society, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street W, Hamilton, ON L8S 4L8, Canada
  • d School of Public Health and Health Systems, University of Waterloo, 200 University Ave W, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada

Abstract

This article examines refugee women’s experience with settlement agencies and their employment outcomes in Canada. Based on qualitative data, we found that employment was not a priority to settlement agencies with many counselors referring the women to low-skilled, low-waged positions with companies with whom they had pre-existing ties. Meanwhile, counselors found themselves burdened with large workloads and felt inadequately equipped to serve the needs of refugees. Through this study, we propose policy recommendations that address women’s disproportional barriers that can be integrated within programs and services offered by settlement agencies to improve employment integration. © 2019, Springer Nature B.V.

Author Keywords

Employment Gender Refugees Settlement agency Canada

Index Keywords

[No Keywords available]
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85075392832&doi=10.1007%2fs12134-019-00729-1&partnerID=40&md5=b8234e3adfd637463292e3939a8a9c46
DOI: 10.1007/s12134-019-00729-1
ISSN: 14883473
Original Language: English