Rethinking the economic lives of refugees


Refugees in many host countries face restrictions on the right to work and other rights impacting economic independence, such as freedom of movement. However, this does not mean that refugees do not have economic lives. On the contrary, refugees engage in informal work, become entrepreneurs, and at times face exploitative working conditions due to a lack of protection. Some of the questions addressed here include: What shapes national and local policies on economic inclusion? What explains variation in economic outcomes for refugees and their impact on host states? How do economic variables shape policies of the international refugee regime, and how do these impact refugees' wellbeing and protection? How might labour mobility – the 'fourth durable solution' – address protracted refugee situations?