MERIDIAN MUN

LETTER FROM THE

EXECUTIVE BOARD
Greetings Delegates!
Welcome to the International Labour Organisation at Meridian MUN 2023. We
are glad to have you here and hope to give you a positive learning experience in
an entertaining and fun manner. Our main focus is the delegates, making sure
they are heard and every concern is addressed from our end.
We would like to emphasize that there are certain positive actions that we
expect from every delegate. These include participating in the committee,
reading the background thoroughly, and understanding the agenda. For
success in anything, hard work is key, and this committee is not going to be any
different. We expect every delegate to research appropriately on the agenda
and their country’s position and foreign policy.
This guide exists solely, as the name states, to give you some basic information
about the agenda. This cannot suffice as your only source of information.
Delegates will need to reach far beyond the surface as the agendas that have
been presented to you are quite expansive in nature. We would still recommend
that you are thorough with the content in the guide, as it acts as a springboard
for further research.
If you are a first-timer, we would like to reiterate - research goes a long way.
MUNs can be a great learning experience and we will do our best to make sure
you have an amazing time and experience.

Hoping to see you guys soon and happy researching!

Regards,
Executive Board of International Labour Organisation

ABOUT THE COMMITTEE

The United Nations was founded in 1945 after the Second World War by 51 countries that
were committed to achieving success in terms of four goals while promoting social
progress, better living standards, and human rights.
The International Labour Organisation (ILO) was established on April 11, 1919, as an
agency of the League of Nations, following World War I. It became a specialized agency of
the United Nations in 1946. The ILO's core purpose is to promote social justice and uphold
labour rights worldwide. It seeks to improve working conditions, protect workers' rights, and
advance decent employment opportunities for all. Throughout its history, the ILO has
developed essential international labour standards, including conventions and
recommendations, aimed at safeguarding workers' rights, such as freedom of association,
collective bargaining, elimination of forced labour (Article 4 of the ILO Constitution), and the
eradication of child labour (Article 32 of the ILO Constitution).
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AGENDA: ‘REFUGEES’ ACCESS TO

JOBS AND FINANCIAL SERVICES’
After fleeing war or persecution, the opportunity to work and earn a living is
one of the most effective ways refugees can rebuild their lives with dignity and
in peace. Through safe work, people forced to flee can meet their families basic
needs, improve their self-reliance and resilience, and contribute to society–
which is what they want. Nonetheless, two-thirds of refugees live in poverty.
75% of refugees have access to work in law, fully or partially. In practice,
however, 62% of refugees live in countries where access to formal employment
is restricted. Refugees are hindered by high unemployment rates, a lack of
access to education and training, limitations on their movements, restrictions
on rights concerning housing and land, and a lack of access to financial
services.

WHY IS THIS ISSUE

IMPORTANT TO ADDRESS?
Rebuilding lives: Rebuilding one’s life implies more than having a roof over
your head and a safe place to sleep. It means reclaiming control of your future.
A powerful way to do so is through finding work. After fleeing war or
persecution, one of the most effective ways people can rebuild their lives with
dignity and peace is through the opportunity to earn a living. Ensuring safety:
Safe employment gives refugees the means to meet their own needs without
resorting to negative coping mechanisms, such as finding work in the grey
and black economies or putting their children to work. It also protects them
from exploitation by criminal organizations and reduces the likelihood of
onward movement in search of work elsewhere. Growing the economy: Many
studies show that refugees can boost the economy of the countries that host
them, even in low to middle-income countries. Economic inclusion, access to
employment and entrepreneurship enables refugees to contribute to their
host economies as consumers, taxpayers and employers. Skills-sharing:
Refugees with access to labour markets often enrich their host communities
with their skills. Those who are allowed to go to school and progress to higher
education, including technical and vocational education and training, are
better equipped for their futures, whether in their host communities, after
resettlement to a third country, or when they return home.
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CHALLENGES TO THE ECONOMIC

INCLUSION OF REFUGEES.
POLITICAL DISCOURSE
ARefugees are often cast as an economic burden for host countries, although
research provides evidence that they are not. In Europe, for example, far-right
groups often exploit public fears that refugees may be taking their jobs,
undercutting wages and putting pressure on public resources (e.g. hospitals,
schools, transport, welfare). In low to middle-income countries, some
communities are already struggling to meet their needs and are concerned
about refugee arrivals. Sometimes, tensions between host communities and
refugees result from concern over the use of local resources.

LEGAL RESTRICTIONS
Even though the right to work is set out in the 1951 Refugee Convention, the
Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and various other instruments, some
host countries limit the right of refugees to work and are reluctant to ease
those restrictions. Three out of four refugees have access to work in law, fully or
partially, however in practice, far fewer refugees are able to work. Other
restrictions exist even in countries where refugees are permitted by law to
work, such as limits on which sectors refugees can work in. Most people
seeking asylum are unable to work while their claim is being processed, which
can take several months or years. Therefore, many asylum seekers live in
poverty and are not able to pay for their basic needs. Restrictive laws and
limited economic inclusion frequently push refugees to work in low-paying
and risky informal employment.
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LABOUR EXPLOITATION
Even though the right to work is set out in the 1951 Refugee Convention, the
Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and various other instruments, some
host countries limit the right of refugees to work and are reluctant to ease
those restrictions. Three out of four refugees have access to work in law, fully or
partially, however in practice, far fewer refugees are able to work. Other
restrictions exist even in countries where refugees are permitted by law to
work, such as limits on which sectors refugees can work in. Most people
seeking asylum are unable to work while their claim is being processed, which
can take several months or years.
Therefore, many asylum seekers live in poverty and are not able to pay for
their basic needs. Restrictive laws and limited economic inclusion frequently
push refugees to work in low-paying and risky informal
employment.minimum wage. In situations of displacement, families may
also involve their children in helping generate income to ensure their
survival, thus putting them at risk. In Lebanon, for example, 180,000 children,
mostly refugees from Syria, were estimated to be working, according to 2018
research. Those working in the informal sector are also extremely vulnerable
to shocks. The economic effects of COVID-19 had a disproportionate effect on
refugees. Data from eight hosting countries (Colombia, Ethiopia, Iraq, Jordan,
Lebanon, Peru, Türkiye, Uganda) shows that refugees are 60 % more likely
than host populations to be working in the informal sector in areas such as
manufacturing or food, which was hit hard by COVID-19. The pandemic
caused widespread job losses, disrupting livelihoods and increasing poverty
among refugees.

ACCESS TO EDUCATION AND

SKILLS TRAINING
Education helps refugees rebuild their lives. It is protective and empowering,
giving them the knowledge and skills to live independently. However, in
many parts of the world refugees face multiple barriers when it comes to
education and skills training, such as restricted or no access to UNHCR’s 2022
Education Report shows that only 37% of refugees are enrolled in secondary
school (as opposed to over 80% worldwide) and only 6% are enrolled in higher
education. Technical and Vocational Education and Training can close some
of these gaps. It encompasses education, training and skills development
relating to a wide range of fields and sectors.
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LACK OF OPPORTUNITIES
A large majority of the world’s refugees – 83 % – live in countries with
developing or the least developed economies. The size of a host country’s
population and the strength of its economy will affect how it copes with the
economic impact of refugee flows. Countries bordering Syria, such as Türkiye,
Lebanon and Jordan, have received the largest number of refugees relative to
their host populations. States with limited economic growth and high
unemployment rates need international support to cope with the cost of
refugee arrivals and to facilitate the economic integration of refugees.

FREEDOM OF MOVEMENT
Freedom of movement consists of the right and ability to move and choose
one’s residence freely and in safety within the territory of a State. To access
decent work, refugees need to be able to exercise their right to freedom of
movement. However, one out of three refugees does not have it. This can
have serious consequences for the lives and well-being of displaced
individuals and communities. It not only limits their ability to flee and seek
safety from conflict but also hinders their ability to work or access life-saving
services such as health care. According to UNHCR, lack of freedom of
movement may increase poverty, marginalization and dependency on
humanitarian aid.

ACCESS TO FINANCIAL SERVICES

A lack of access to financial services such as deposit accounts, payments,
credit, insurance and other mainstream services can be a major hurdle to
self-reliance and economic independence. 56% of refugees live in countries
where the legislation does not recognize UNHCR or government-issued ID as
a valid document to open a bank account, which makes it difficult to spend,
save, borrow or send money, as well as to start and operate a business.
Without such services, refugees cannot fully participate in a country’s
economy or build a stable life for themselves and their families.
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REFUGEE ENTREPRENEURSHIP
In contexts where unemployment in host communities is high, refugees prefer
to follow the entrepreneurial path. For example, in South Africa, Brazil and
Morocco, refugees tend to become entrepreneurs due to limited opportunities
in the formal job market. Even where entrepreneurial activity is not legally
allowed, self-employment might still be the most viable option because of a
lack of alternatives. According to UNHCR, 59% of refugees live in countries with
restricted access in practice to registering and operating a business.
Challenges include language barriers, lack of market knowledge, unfamiliarity
with local legal regulations and tax systems, and limited access to finance.

WHAT IS CURRENTLY BEING DONE

TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE?
UNITED NATIONS HIGH COMMISSIONER
FOR REFUGEES (UNHCR)
UNHCR works to ensure that refugees have access to affordable and suitable
financial services. For example, together with the Swedish International
Development Cooperation Agency and the Grameen Credit Agricole
Foundation, UNHCR launched a programme to promote access to financial
and non-financial services for refugees and host communities in Uganda. The
programme provides selected financial service providers with debt financing
and technical assistance to enable them to expand their lending operations
and access entrepreneurial training to over 100,000 refugees and host
communities. UNHCR has been expanding its cash-based interventions (CBI)
programme, giving refugees a choice in how they spend their money and
benefitting local economies. It also enables them to pay their rent, pay off
debts and start businesses. UNHCR delivers cash assistance through banks or
mobile money accounts. In 2016, access to bank accounts and other digital
payments for refugees in places where UNHCR operates was limited to only a
few countries. In 2020, as a result of the implementation of UNHCR’s CBI policy,
47 countries have managed to negotiate such access, of which 32% have set
up mobile money mechanisms. UNHCR advocates for refugees’ access to jobs,
education and other services in their country of asylum and works with
partners to help refugees make a living. For example, UNHCR works with ILO
and UNDP on micro-financing programmes to increase refugees’ self-reliance.
MERIDIAN MUN

GOVERNMENTS
Governments can help to ensure that refugees have the same rights as locals
when it comes to access to services, administrative processes and legal rights.
Such rights include work permits and ownership of property (eg, ending
restrictions on foreign ownership of land and businesses). In 2021, Jordan
issued a record 62,000 work permits to Syrians. And under the 2016 Jordan
Compact, an initiative to improve access to education and legal employment
for Syrians, Syrian refugees were allowed to work in several sectors of Jordan’s
economy. Governments can provide training and education to facilitate
refugees’ access to the job market, since refugees may live in countries where
their diplomas and experience are not recognized or where their skills are not
in demand. For example, in 2016, the German government created a
programme providing regional vocational centres with the funds to enrol
refugees in a six-month apprenticeship scheme, including training in trades
such as metal and electrical work, as well as language and integration classes.
Governments can help ease the pressures on host countries. For example, the
Canadian government increased its refugee resettlement levels for the next
three years in its 2021– 2023 Immigration Plan. Such actions can help host
countries with limited economic growth and high unemployment rates to
cope with the cost of refugee arrivals and facilitate the economic integration of
refugees.

BUSINESSES
Businesses can work together to find innovative ways to increase refugee
employment. For example, the Tent Partnership for Refugees, founded by
Hamdi Ulukaya, CEO of Chobani, works with businesses to identify and
understand opportunities to help refugees integrate into the economy.
Businesses can offer employment to refugees. For example, in 2021, UNHCR
launched the Companies with Refugees Forum to encourage businesses in
Brazil to hire refugees. Businesses can offer a wide range of technologies and
goods that can facilitate refugees’ access to the job market. For example, in
2019, Microsoft partnered with UNHCR to empower 25,000 refugees and host
community youth in Kakuma with digital skills and computer science training.
MERIDIAN MUN

REFUGEES, HOST COMMUNITIES AND NGOS

Refugees, host communities and NGOs can leverage innovative ways to create
jobs for refugees. For example, NaTakallam provides income to refugees,
displaced persons and their host community members by hiring them as
online tutors, teachers, translators and cultural exchange partners. Host
communities and NGOs can help equip refugees with the tools and skills
needed to access the job market. For example, Powercoders International is an
NGO that provides free intensive coding courses and a subsequent work
placement, allowing its students to gain valuable, market-relevant skills as well
as work experience, which increases their chances of employment.

TOPICS TO BE DISCUSSED IN THE

COMMITTEE
HOW CAN WE EXPAND THE RIGHTS OF REFUGEES TO ACCESS EMPLOYMENT AND
ENTREPRENEURSHIP?

HOW CAN WE EXPAND THE RIGHTS OF REFUGEES TO ACCESS FINANCIAL SERVICES?

HOW CAN GOVERNMENTS HOSTING LARGE NUMBERS OF REFUGEES BALANCE THE NEED TO
SUPPORT REFUGEES WITH THE NEEDS OF THEIR OWN CITIZENS WHEN IT COMES TO
EMPLOYMENT AND BUSINESS?

IN HOST COUNTRIES, WHAT ARE THE PRIORITIES FOR SUPPORTING THE ECONOMIC INCLUSION
OF REFUGEES LIVING IN CAMPS AS OPPOSED TO URBAN AREAS?

SUGGESTING MEASURES TO INVOLVE THE PRIVATE SECTOR IN SUPPORTING THE ECONOMIC

INCLUSION OF REFUGEES.

RESOURCES –
GLOBAL COMPACT ON REFUGEES INDICATOR 2021- HTTPS://WWW.UNHCR.ORG/GLOBAL-
COMPACT-REFUGEES-INDICATOR-REPORT/#_GA=2.184823657.1703960029.1666055719-
1415890587.1666055719