Video: Virtual launch of the Global Taskforce on Refugee Labour Mobility

Talent Beyond Boundaries is proud to join the governments of Canada and Australia, and leaders across the humanitarian and private sector, to launch the Global Task Force on Refugee Labour Mobility.

Other members of the Task Force include UNHCR, the International Organization for Migration, the International Chamber of Commerce, Fragomen, and RefugePoint.

Today, the Global Task Force on Refugee Labour Mobility was launched, and introduced Canada as its inaugural chair. Two of our co-founders, John Cameron and Bruce Cohen, represented TBB at the launch. [Watch the video]

The Global Task Force is core to the mission of Talent Beyond Boundaries.

Across the globe, millions of people are displaced and in need of safety and protection. But less than 1% of refugees have access to resettlement each year. This leaves millions of people in unstable environments, where they’re unable to use their skills and talents to their full potential.

Labour mobility as a complementary pathway provides displaced people with an additional route, beyond resettlement, to secure a durable solution in a third country. This kind of skilled migration recognises refugees’ skills, experience and talent, in addition to their need for protection.

Talent Beyond Boundaries has already proven that when displaced people are able to move for work, they can resume their careers, rebuild their lives, and enrich our workplaces and communities in the process. But to see success on a larger scale, we need to make labour immigration avenues accessible to more refugees in more countries. The Global Task Force on Refugee Labour Mobility will help do just that.

The Task Force has committed to four guiding principles in promoting the labour complementary pathway worldwide:

1. Additionality

   Labour complementary pathway initiatives are in addition to existing resettlement commitments. They expand access to protection for refugees in third countries.

2. Durable solutions

   Labour complementary pathway initiatives should offer:

   • Avenues to permanent protection for refugees and their families; and

   • Support their integration into their new communities

3. Protection

   Labour complementary pathway initiatives should be designed and implemented in a way that safeguards the rights and protection needs of refugees and their families.

4. Labour market needs

   Labour complementary pathway initiatives should be designed in a way that meets labour market needs of the receiving country to increase their scalability and longevity.

To support the expansion of labour mobility pathways, the Task Force will engage and share information and technical advice with countries interested in adopting such schemes, advocate for hiring refugees in the private sector and through industry and sector-specific initiatives, and conduct research and explore policy solutions to challenges that stand in the way of scaling these initiatives.

Talent Beyond Boundaries is excited to join this exceptional group of organisations to help scale labour mobility pathways for displaced people around the world.

Learn more about the Global Task Force on Labour Mobility.