Workers’ organizations responding to the needs of refugees and other forcibly displaced persons

This report highlights ILO's commitment to non-discrimination, protection from exploitation, and efforts to integrate refugees into the workforce, especially women and those in the informal sector.

Despite their strengths, trade unions face significant challenges in engaging refugees, including legal barriers, informality, funding shortages, and lack of thematic expertise. External factors, such as restrictions on freedom of association and collective bargaining, also hinder their efforts.

The report identifies good practices that promote greater inclusion of refugees, such as training, alliance-building, gender-responsive initiatives, and international cooperation. It emphasizes the importance of collaborative efforts between governments, development actors, and workers’ organizations to address forced displacement.

The report even provides actionable recommendations for governments, employers, and international bodies, along with a self-assessment checklist for workers’ organizations to enhance their engagement with refugees. This research underscores that building sustainable, inclusive responses requires coordinated support from multiple stakeholders.