Dr Carlos Vargas-Silva and Dr Isabel Ruiz (University of Oxford)

“This seminar will present the findings from the Economic Integration of Refugees in the UK (ECONREF) project. The project compares the labour market outcomes of refugees in the UK (e.g. employment rates, hours worked, weekly earnings, hourly salary) to the outcomes of those who migrated for other reasons (i.e. employment, family re-union, study) and the UK-born. Using restricted access labour market data for 2007-1018, the analysis reveals key differences between the labour market outcomes of refugees and other residents of the UK. After the initial comparison, the project explores possible explanations for these differences, putting emphasis on health issues, differences in job search methods and the role of self-employment.”