In this episode of EmpowerMigra, we tacklea persistent narrative: "Refugees cost the state money – and are a burden on the economy."

Sounds familiar?
But what do companies actually say – those that have hired refugees?

We look at a study by Alexander Kritikosand his team, based on real-world experiences from 100 companies in Germany.

The findings speak for themselves:
Higher productivity. More creativity. A more satisfied workforce.
And stronger employer attractiveness.

88% of the companies surveyed would hirerefugees again.
This is not an opinion – these are facts from practice.

And here the narrative falls apart:
If refugees supposedly "only generate costs" –
why do companies concretely benefit from them?

The study also shows: The biggest barriersare not a lack of motivation –
but language barriers, unrecognized qualifications, and bureaucracy.
Structural problems – not individual deficits.

This episode asks the uncomfortablequestion:
If companies benefit – why does the image of refugees as a "problem"persist so stubbornly?

Perhaps it’s time to ask the real question:
Not whether refugees are a burden –
but why we so often treat them as one, even though reality tells a differentstory.

EmpowerMigra – understanding begins withlistening.

Source:
Kritikos, A. et al. (2022). Wenn Unternehmen Geflüchtete einstellen –Erfahrungen, Erfolge und Herausforderungen aus der betrieblichen Praxis. DIWBerlin.

In this episode ofEmpowerMigra, we explore a widely held belief:
“Foreign qualifications are worthless.”

At first, this may soundlogical to many.
But is it actually true?

We take a look at a studyon highly qualified migrants – particularly in the medical field. In otherwords, exactly where qualifications should be clearly measurable.

The findings show:
The problem is not a lack of knowledge.

The problem is whetherthis knowledge is recognized, translated, and approved.

Even highly qualifiedprofessionals face significant barriers:
Lengthy recognition procedures, bureaucracy, limited comparability of educationsystems, and restricted access to the labor market.

The result:
Not a lack of performance – but blocked access.

And this is where thenarrative falls apart:
If qualifications were truly “worthless,” why would they need to be evaluatedat all?

This episode shows thatit is not about “real” or “fake” qualifications –
but about systems that are not compatible.

And it raises a crucialquestion at the end:
If the qualification exists – why is it not being used?

EmpowerMigra –understanding begins with listening.

Source:
Klein, J. (2016). Hochqualifizierte Migranten im Gesundheitssektor –Herausforderungen der Anerkennung und Integration in den Arbeitsmarkt.

In this episode ofEmpowerMigra, we explore a simple but uncomfortable question:
What does it actually mean to live in “precarious” conditions – and who decidesthat?

We take a look at a studyon Syrian refugees in Germany. The focus is not only on their livingconditions, but also on how they perceive them themselves.

The findings show:
People can live in very similar circumstances – and evaluate their situation incompletely different ways.

All participants facesimilar challenges:
Work, recognition of qualifications, bureaucracy, and financial insecurity.

And yet some say:
“I’m managing.”

While others say:
“I feel stuck.”

What remains is a keyinsight:
Precarity is not only an objective condition.
It is also a matter of perception.

This episode highlightshow complex reality really is – and raises a central question at the end:
If even similar living conditions are experienced differently, why do we sooften talk as if there were “the refugees”?

EmpowerMigra –understanding begins with listening.

Source:
Jungmann, A. (2018). Prekäre Lebenslagen syrischer Geflüchteter inDeutschland – zwischen objektiven Bedingungen und subjektiver Wahrnehmung.