What are the barriers to integrating displaced populations into labor markets and what are possible steps to overcome them?

The purpose of this paper is to find the answers of the following question: what are the barriers to integrating displaced populations into labor markets and what are possible steps to overcome them?

This paper draws on government statistics, published reports and independent research that the author conducted in Turkey regarding the crisis in Syria from 2016 to 2018.

A reactionary government policy toward Syrian refugees lacks an overarching rights-based approach that includes the participation of all stakeholders and considers local dynamics. This results in a bleak prospect for enhancing the livelihood security of Syrian refugees and vulnerable members of host communities in Turkey. An alternative approach leveraging opportunities for synergies between refugee and host communities is proposed.

This piece proposes an original framework for integrating displaced populations into labor markets through the acronym CLEAR: certainty of status, language training, education opportunities, aid as an investment and the right to work.