SAIMUN 2023 UNHCR

UNHCR 2023
Refugee jobs and financial security: protection and
solution for refugees, asylum seekers and stateless
persons

BACKGROUND GUIDE
SAIMUN 2023 UNHCR

Greetings to all representatives!

Welcome to SAIMUN 2023. This conference will focus on diplomacy, politics,
International Relations, Human Rights, Economy, etc. This year delegates are tasked to
find a sustainable solution towards refugee jobs and financial security.

As a dias, we advocate that all participants are familiar with the rules of procedure and
the process of discussion to enable a lively simulation.
Please note that this document is intended as an information guide on the basics of each
topic. Therefore, the Panel strongly recommends in-depth research on this topic in
relation to its assigned country/state in order to further improve the quality of the
debate.
If you have any further questions, feel free to contact us via the committee email.

unhcr@saimun.net
We wish you the best of luck.
UNHCR DIAS.
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HISTORY AND THE CURRENT SITUATION

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) was established in 1950
to provide protection and assistance to refugees, asylum seekers, and stateless persons.
One of the key areas of focus for the UNHCR has been ensuring that these groups have
access to job and financial security.
In the early years of its existence, the UNHCR focused primarily on providing emergency
assistance to refugees, including shelter, food, and medical care. However, over time, the
organization began to recognize the importance of job and financial security for
refugees and other forcibly displaced persons.
In 1977, the UNHCR adopted a new policy on refugees' right to work, recognizing that
the ability to work is essential to the self-reliance and dignity of refugees. The policy
emphasized the need for refugees to have access to legal employment opportunities, as
well as vocational training and other forms of support to help them build their skills and
integrate into the local economy.
Since then, the UNHCR has continued to work to promote the right of refugees to work
and access to financial security. This has included advocating for the implementation of
the 1951 Refugee Convention, which recognizes the right of refugees to work and access
to social security. The UNHCR has also worked with host countries to develop programs
to help refugees find employment and access financial services, such as microfinance
loans.
In recent years, the global refugee crisis has put even greater pressure on the UNHCR to
address issues related to job and financial security. As of 2021, there were over 82
million forcibly displaced people
worldwide, including 26.4 million
refugees, 4.1 million asylum seekers, and
4.2 million stateless persons.
The UNHCR has responded to this crisis by
increasing its focus on job and financial
security for refugees and other displaced
persons. One of the key initiatives in this
area is the UNHCR's Livelihoods and
Economic Inclusion program, which
provides support for refugees to build
their skills, access employment opportunities, and start their own businesses. The
UNHCR has also worked to increase access to financial services for refugees, recognizing
that financial inclusion is essential for long-term self-reliance. This has included
partnering with financial institutions to develop products and services tailored to the
needs of refugees, as well as supporting initiatives to increase financial literacy and
education.
Despite these efforts, there is still much work to be done to ensure that refugees, asylum
seekers, and stateless persons have access to the job and financial security they need to
rebuild their lives. One of the key challenges is the lack of legal frameworks and policies
that recognize the right of refugees to work and access financial services.
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The UNHCR continues to work with governments, civil society organizations, and other
stakeholders to promote the implementation of these frameworks and policies. This
includes advocating for the inclusion of refugees in national labor markets, supporting
the development of vocational training programs, and providing technical assistance to
financial institutions to increase their capacity to serve refugee populations.
In conclusion, job and financial security is essential for the self-reliance and dignity of
refugees, asylum seekers, and stateless persons. The UNHCR has recognized this
importance and has worked to promote the right of refugees to work and access to
financial services. However, there is still much work to be done to ensure that these
groups have the support they need to build their skills, access employment
opportunities, and achieve long-term self-reliance.

Past Actions of the UN and other organizations

As a result of the Covid-19 Pandemic and the recession affected Americans significantly
the livelihoods of UNHCR’s persons on concerns including refugees, asylum seekers,
internally displaced persons, returnees, stateless persons, others in need of
international protection as well as vulnerable host communities. The UNHCR came up
with the Stepped-Up Livelihoods Strategy in the Americas. The purpose of the strategy
is to maximize economic inclusion so as to catalyze opportunities for development
actors, international financial institutions, private sector actors and donors to make a
concrete impact on access to livelihoods for persons of concern in the region.

The International Labor Organization has a Social Finance Programme that is currently
introducing sustainable solutions to remedy the financial constraints of forcibly
displaced persons and enable them to be more resilient, empowered and durably
protected. Since 2019, the ILO and UNHCR have joined forces with UNICEF, IFC and the
World Bank to design prospects. This is a project spearheaded by the Government of the
Netherlands with the goal of fostering more sustainable livelihoods through
employment creation, education and protection.

The UNHCR leverages the presences of its field offices to identify barriers to access
which governments may be inadvertently be applying. In Malawi, the UNHCR
Registration Card has recently been recognized as a valid document for refugees and
asylum seekers to open accounts with the New Finance Bank. In Rwanda, UNHCR has
been partnering with Financial Sector Deepening Africa (FSDA), which recently released
the report Refugees and their Money. In Zambia, UNHCR’s partner United Nations
Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) worked with Bank of Zambia to change policy on
what is an acceptable form of ID for opening a bank account, which now also includes a
Refugee Certificate and Refugee ID card issued by the Government’s Office of the
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Commissioner for Refugees. These documents are now accepted as valid Know Your
Client (KYC) documents by Financial Sector Policies FSPs.

POSSIBLE CONSIDERATIONS FOR THE FUTURE

Globalization poses new challenges in all domains of international life, and the world of
forced migration is no exception. In the coming decades states, international agencies
and NGOs face multiple challenges in relation to the problem of human displacement.
How effectively they surmount these hurdles will determine the viability of
international refugee protection in the years to come.

The challenges ahead can be listed as follows. First, states must be persuaded to
reconsider their restrictive asylum policies. Second, it must be ensured that the core
principles of international refugee law, particularly that of non-refoulement, are not
eroded. Third, the security of refugees, particularly women and children, and
humanitarian workers, must be enhanced. Fourth, problems relating to protracted
situations and the ‘warehousing’ of refugees must be resolved. Fifth, host states must be
prevented from undermining the principle of voluntary repatriation in the absence of
responsibility-sharing by the international community. Sixth, the problem of smuggling
and trafficking of asylum seekers must be addressed. Seventh, the root causes of refugee
flows must be given more attention than they receive at present. Eighth, UNHCR must
respond to numerous supervisory, accountability and partnership challenges, besides
clearly defining its role vis-à -vis internally displaced people. A number of initiatives
have already been taken by states and international agencies, and in particular by
UNHCR, to meet these challenges. This book has attempted to assess such efforts in the
context of key political and socioeconomic developments over the past few years.
Decolonization, the end of the Cold War, rapid globalization, the growing North-South
divide, the proliferation of internal conflicts and the so-called ‘war on terror’ have all
affected the policies of states towards refugees and internally displaced persons. They
have also led to a change in perceptions of the role of international agencies, including
UNHCR, in dealing with displaced people. Despite these efforts, much remains to be
done. This chapter highlights some of the key areas in need of immediate attention:
ensuring the security of refugees, improving mechanisms to better identify those in
need of international protection, and finding durable solutions—specially to resolve
protracted situations. These and other challenges can only be met through adequate
responsibility-sharing. The chapter also looks into various mechanisms for achieving it.
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A separate section is devoted to identifying the challenges facing UNHCR in providing

protection and assistance for refugees and, increasingly, internally displaced people.
Solutions that are currently underway and that are planned to take in the future for
refugees

● Complementary pathways for admission to third countries.

● Local Integration.

● Resettlement.

● Voluntary Repatriation.

These are the four major UNHCR solutions that are currently being taken and planned
to continue in the future in order to help the refugees.

What are the plans that are underway and will continue being taken by the UNHCR that
are there to help stateless people?

1. Identification

The prerequisite for solving a problem is to understand it – but identification of

stateless acquiring statistics on stateless populations. The causes of statelessness, the
characterise the problems they face, are the kinds of issues that UNHCR and partners
must examine strategy.

In many countries, the fact that stateless people live on the margins of society and are
un identification difficult. In order to gather basic statistical information, we not only
work sister UN agencies, but also provide support to activities like population censuses.
We also analyse the reasons that have led to statelessness and research the situation of
nationality. While this research is important for a basic understanding of the problem,
its first-hand information. Whenever possible, we interview stateless people about their
situ on solutions. We also try to identify and work with other stakeholders, including
institute an influence on the situation.

Identification relates directly to the prevention of statelessness (when gaps in

legislation statelessness), reduction (when gauging opportunities for solutions) and
protection (people about their daily lives and the human rights problems they face).

2. Prevention

The easiest and most effective way to deal with statelessness is to prevent it from
occurring this in mind, we provide legal advice to governments about how to ensure
their national international standards, including those set out in the 1961 Convention
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on the Reduction relevant human rights treaties. For example, we advise states on the
safeguards which are laws to protect against childhood statelessness. We also work to
ensure that the way nationality matters are dealt with, country by count include
strengthening civil registration systems, promoting the importance of document
providing training and technical advice to authorities to ensure that decisions on nation
discrimination and in accordance with international human rights standards.

3. Reduction

Reducing statelessness means finding a solution for those without a nationality. There is
statelessness – acquisition of nationality, usually of the country with which stateless
people. UNHCR works with governments to help them to make changes to legislation
and process to recognize stateless people as nationals. Additionally, we liaise with
NGOs, civil society partners and the media to publicize these changes so stateless people
know how to become partners to better advise stateless people on how to access
nationality through legal advice

4. Protection

Protecting stateless people means

ensuring that they can exercise their
human rights un nationality. UNHCR
provides guidance and technical
assistance to governments to establish
procedure people and give them a
legal status along with basic human
rights. We do this by encourage the
1954 Convention relating to the Status
of Stateless Persons and by advocating
for the stateless people are entitled
under other human rights instruments. At a grassroots level, we work with NGOs,
human rights groups and other UN partners t people can obtain access to education,
health care, employment and other basic rights. to protect stateless people from
indefinite detention, trafficking and violence.
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BLOC POSITIONS.
1. POLITICAL DISCOURSE.

Although data shows they are not, refugees are frequently portrayed as being a financial
burden on host nations. For instance, far-right organizations frequently prey on popular
apprehensions in Europe that immigrants may take their jobs, driving down wages and
placing strain on public services (such as hospitals, schools, transportation, and
welfare).

Some communities in low- to middle-income nations are already having a hard time
getting by and are worried about the impending arrival of refugees. Concern about the
usage of local resources can occasionally lead to confrontations between host
communities and refugees.

2. LEGAL RESTRICTIONS.

Despite the 1951 Refugee Convention, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and
several other documents stating that everyone has the right to work, some host nations
restrict that freedom and are unwilling to loosen such limits. The legislation allows for
the full or partial employment of three out of every four refugees, but in actuality,
considerably fewer refugees are able to find employment. Even in nations where it is
legal for refugees to work, there are still limitations on what fields they may work in.
The majority of those who apply for asylum are unable to work while their case is being
reviewed, which might take months or even years. As a result, a large number of those
seeking refuge are poor and unable to meet their basic necessities. Refugees are
frequently forced to labor in low-paying and dangerous informal jobs because of
restrictive legislation and restricted economic integration.

3. LABOUR EXPLOITATION.

Refugees who encounter barriers to conventional employment prospects may turn to

obtaining labor in the underground sector, increasing their risk of being exploited. They
could experience a wide range of difficulties, such as underpayment, injury risk, job
insecurity, a lack of rights, and discrimination. One million Syrians are reportedly
employed informally in Turkey without any legal protection, and three out of every four
of them make

less than the minimum salary. Families in

displaced situations may also enlist the
assistance

of their kids in earning money to ensure

their survival, placing the kids in danger.
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For instance, it was projected that 180,000 youngsters in Lebanon were employed, the
majority of them were Syrian refugees. People who labor in the unorganized sector are
more susceptible to shocks. The COVID-19 economic repercussions were
disproportionately felt by refugees.

According to data from eight hosting nations (Colombia, Ethiopia, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon,
Peru, Turkey, and Uganda), refugees are 60% more likely than the host population to
work in the informal sector, which was particularly heavily impacted by COVID-19, in
industries like manufacturing or food. The epidemic disrupted livelihoods, led to
significant job losses, and increased refugee poverty.

4. ACCESS TO EDUCATION AND SKILLS TRAINING.

Refugees who get education can restore their life. Giving children the information and
abilities to live independently is both protective and empowering. The UNHCR's 2022
Education Report reveals that only 37% of refugees are enrolled in secondary school (as
opposed to over 80% worldwide), and only 6% are enrolled in higher education.
However, in many parts of the world, refugees face numerous barriers to education and
skills training, including limited or no access. Some of these gaps can be filled through
technical and vocational education and training. It includes instruction, training, and the
development of skills pertaining to a variety of industries and areas.

5. LACK OF OPPORTUNITIES.
83% of all refugees worldwide reside in nations with emerging or least developed
economies.

How a host nation manages the financial effects of refugee flows will depend on the size
of its population and the health of its economy. Turkey, Lebanon, and Jordan, which
border Syria, have taken in the most refugees in comparison to their host populations.
International assistance is required to manage the costs of refugee arrivals and to aid
the economic integration of refugees in countries with low economic development and
high unemployment rates.

6. FREEDOM OF MOVEMENT.

In order to exercise one's freedom of movement inside a State's borders, one must have
the right and capacity to do so. Refugees need to be allowed to use their right to
freedom of movement to find suitable employment. However, it is absent in one out of
every three migrants. For the lives and general welfare of displaced people and
communities, this may have grave repercussions. It affects their access to life-saving
services like healthcare as well as their capacity to work and flee to safer areas during
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times of war. The UNHCR asserts that restrictions on migration may exacerbate poverty,
marginalization, and reliance on humanitarian help.

7. ACCESS TO FINANCIAL SERVICES.

Lack of access to financial services including deposit accounts, payments, credit,

insurance, and other common services can be a significant barrier to economic
independence and self-sufficiency. 56% of refugees reside in nations where it is illegal
to create a bank account using a UNHCR or government-issued ID, which makes it
challenging to spend, save, borrow, or send money as well as to open and run a
company. Without these services, refugees are unable to fully contribute to a nation's
economy or create a secure future for their children.

8. REFUGEE ENTERPRENEURSHIP.

In situations when there is a high rate of unemployment in the host community,

refugees favor taking the entrepreneurial route. Due to the lack of prospects in the
official employment market, refugees, for instance, frequently start their own
businesses in South Africa, Brazil, and Morocco. Due to a lack of alternatives, self-
employment may still be the most practical choice even in situations where it is illegal
to engage in entrepreneurial activity. 59% of refugees, according to UNHCR, reside in
nations with actual restrictions on opening up shop and filing for business licenses.
Language limitations, a lack of market understanding, a lack of experience with regional
legal and tax systems, and restricted access to capital are all problems.

Guiding questions: Questions a resolution must answer

1. How is the UN helping?
2. Who are the watchdogs?
3. How much will it cost?
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4. Who else is involved in the project?

5. How long will the process run for?
6. What will happen to the project when the set timeline has expired?

References.

https://www.unhcr.org/
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https://www.ilo.org/

https://www.fsdafrica.org/