Open Invitation to Irish Employers: Embracing Diversity and the Value of Displaced Talent in the Workplace

Many people have personal encounters and experiences with displaced individuals. For those who work in the global mobility and immigration sectors, these experiences are frequent and varied, but there is one common thread: in the face of unimaginable hardships, displaced individuals continue to persevere with resilience, hope and a sincere desire to rebuild their lives, making a home for themselves in a new country.

Their inspiring stories stay with professionals in our industry and compel us to consider how we can continue to provide support.

There is no doubt that the world is facing a global refugee crisis. Millions of people around the world are displaced from their homes due to conflict, persecution and natural disaster. In the last year alone, we saw the global refugee crisis become even more prevalent. In Türkiye and Syria, more than 9.1 million people were directly impacted by the devastating earthquakes that we witnessed.

Amidst the challenges refugees are facing, there is a significant opportunity for employers to develop their responsible business strategies by harnessing the potential of displaced talent.

How can employers harness displaced talent?

Many employers are seeking new ways to adopt sustainable business solutions to address global challenges. Empowering employers to engage with displaced talent programs as part of their responsible business strategy is a unique and prime example of a sustainable solution.

Displaced talent can bring benefits to employers based in any country, and Ireland is no exception. With that in mind, we are pleased to extend an open invitation to all Irish employers to join our 21 June event, International Talent Mobility - Displaced Talent for Europe (DT4E), to learn more.

Integrating displaced talent to the Irish workforce

In this blog post, we explore the importance of adopting measures to actively hire and integrate displaced talent into the Irish workforce.

By embracing diversity and recognizing that refugees have many skills and expertise to offer, we can strengthen our corporate values. By doing so, we address the immediate needs of those impacted by the refugee crisis while opening a new talent pool for employers who want to address skill shortages and create a diverse workforce.

According to UNHCR, at least 89.3 million people around the world have been forced to flee their homes. Among them are nearly 27.1 million refugees, around half of whom are under the age of 18. Almost half of the world’s refugees are of working age, but many find themselves in countries where they have no working rights. At the same time, employers experience a talent shortage globally, struggling to find the talent they need in the local labour market.

Engaging in displaced talent mobility programs can help more people move safely and securely through labour mobility pathways. In fact, opting in has never been easier, and participating will ultimately strengthen workforces in more ways than one, including showcasing to potential employees their dedication to sustainable business practices and ethical corporate values.

Embracing diversity and displaced talent also offers significant economic benefits. According to Harvard Business Review, inclusive societies and diverse workforces are more resilient and innovative. By integrating displaced talent, countries can tap into new business markets, promote entrepreneurship and enhance their competitiveness.

By harnessing the skills, experiences and resilience of displaced people, we can create sustainable solutions, drive economic growth and foster inclusive societies.

How can you get involved?

If you are interested in understanding how your company can hire displaced talent, strengthen your workforce and become a part of this positive change, we encourage you to join Fragomen, IOM Ireland and Talent Beyond Boundaries in Dublin on 21 June for an insightful session on unlocking the potential of displaced talent and expanding your access to a vast pool of international talent.

If the concept of displaced talent is unfamiliar to you or your company, you are not alone. This event will provide you with an opportunity to learn how displaced talent can enrich your workplace, as refugees bring diverse perspectives, cultural insights and adaptability that can make our workplaces even more vibrant. Hiring displaced talent not only allows employers to fill job vacancies, but also embraces an environment of inclusion and innovation.

Need to know more?

For further information on how you can harness the power of displaced talent or for questions related to our 21 June event, please contact Senior Immigration Manager Fatima Aydin at [email protected].

This blog was published on 15 June 2023, and due to the circumstances, there are frequent changes. To keep up to date with all the latest updates on global immigration, please visit our dedicated COVID-19 site, subscribe to our alerts and follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.