Research on Fair Recruitment Pathways in Egypt, Kenya and Uganda

The International Labour Organization (ILO), through the PROSPECTS Opportunity Fund, is undertaking new participatory research in Egypt, Kenya and Uganda to better understand how refugees navigate recruitment channels.

Drawing on refugees’ lived experiences and engagement with key stakeholders, the research will explore three interconnected areas:

1. Recruitment pathways and actors

The study will map the formal and informal pathways refugees use to find work and the different actors involved – including employers, employment services, intermediaries and other networks. It will also explore how documentation requirements, employer practices and other factors shape these pathways.

2. Legal and policy frameworks

The research will examine the laws, policies and institutional arrangements that shape refugees’ access to recruitment channels and employment services, as well as the roles of different actors in supporting fair recruitment.

3. Practices that enable fair recruitment

The study will explore the practical factors that can facilitate or constrain access to fair recruitment, including gender-specific considerations. It will also identify promising approaches and opportunities for collaboration that can contribute to more transparent, inclusive and rights-based recruitment.

The findings will also provide an opportunity to examine how existing frameworks and practices align with the ILO General Principles and Operational Guidelines for Fair Recruitment and the Definition of Recruitment Fees and Related Costs.

The research aims to generate practical knowledge, encourage dialogue and identify opportunities to strengthen pathways to decent work for refugees.

The findings will be published in early 2027.