Few refugees in work after two years

4.2 percent of refugees granted residence in 2013 had found a regular job by 2015

New figures from the Confederation of Danish Employers (DA) have revealed that 88 percent of refugees who obtained a residence permit in 2013 were on public benefits two years later.

Just 4.2 percent of refugees of a working age who received a residence permit in 2013 had found a regular job, while 5.3 percent were taking an education and 2.5 percent had started their own business.

“The results from the integration efforts have not been impressive thus far,” said Berit Toft Fihl, a chief consultant in DA.

“The figures show that the municipalities have been reserved in getting the refugees into the companies. Fortunately, we tackled the issue in connection with the recent three-party negotiations.”

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Immediate employment
The three-part agreement between the employers, employees and the government is proposing that the municipalities must try to help the refugees into employment as soon as they are granted residence.

DA is under the impression that the municipal job centres are largely responsible for the lack of refugees being employed.

A DA survey showed that the vast majority of companies were keen to do their part and employ refugees.