ILO, UNHCR seal pact to support displaced persons

The International Labour Organization (ILO) and United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) have signed an agreement aimed at providing employment opportunities for millions of refugees and other persons that are displaced by conflicts and strives.

A statement by the ILO, which was obtained by The Guardian, said the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), signed on 1 July 2016 at ILO headquarters, is expected to open a new and deeper phase of collaboration between the ILO and UNHCR.

The agreement focuses on long-term solutions for refugees and others displaced by conflict and persecution. As part of the wider UN response to the Syrian refugee crisis, the ILO has adopted a development-focused and employment-driven strategy to support host communities and refugees to maintain and reinforce the social and economic stability of the neighbouring countries affected.

ILO Deputy Director-General for Policy, Deborah Greenfield and UNHCR’s Assistant High Commissioner for Protection, Volker Türk, signed the agreement, which builds on an earlier one from 1983.

Commenting on the landmark agreement, Greenfield said: “These alarming displacement trends cannot be dealt with by stopgap measures. This MoU will enable our two agencies to join forces and promote comprehensive durable solutions enabling refugees and other forcibly displaced persons to obtain decent work, while protecting their rights and supporting the countries and communities hosting refugees.”

In his remarks, UNHCR’s Assistant High Commissioner for Protection, Volker Türk, , said: “Allowing refugees and other forcibly displaced persons to get jobs helps them fend for themselves, restore confidence, and rebuild their lives, but just as importantly it allows them to contribute economically to the communities they are part of.”

The MoU identifies eight common priorities that include the promotion of solutions and protection of refugees’ rights, and advocates inclusive and equal treatment in access to decent work and livelihoods, as well as social protection. It also seeks to ensure support to local communities, countering the economic exploitation of those displaced and eradicating child labour.

The statement also said the two agencies will also enhance their cooperation through systematic collaboration at the global, regional and country level, taking a cross-border approach wherever possible. Cooperation will include assessments, joint research, data collection and analysis, training and capacity building, as well as integrated policy approaches. Joint advocacy activities will be developed to promote an inclusive approach to integration in labour markets and access to livelihood opportunities and social protection, as well as other measures.

A Plan of Action to be developed over the coming three months will define the concrete steps to be taken based on the areas of collaboration identified in the MoU.