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.

In this episode ofEmpowerMigra, we explore a widely held assumption:
“We need migration – but only the skilled.”

That sounds logical.
But what happens when exactly these highly qualified people come to Germany?

We take a look at a studyon the migration of highly skilled individuals from Greece to Germany. Thebackground includes economic crises, lack of prospects, and significantdifferences between countries of origin and destination.

The findings show:
Even well-educated people do not automatically have the opportunities one wouldexpect.

Because what matters isnot only qualifications, but also structural factors:
Access to the labor market, recognition of degrees, networks, and institutionalbarriers.

What remains is a keyinsight:
Migration is not purely an individual issue.
And integration does not work through performance alone.

This episode explains thestudy in a clear and accessible way – and raises a central question at the end:
If even the “desired” migrants do not automatically succeed, what is really thereason?

EmpowerMigra – understanding begins withlistening.

Source:Gkolfinopoulos, A. (2020). Deutschland als Magnet für Hochqualifizierte ausGriechenland. Springer VS.

In this episode ofEmpowerMigra, we explore an uncomfortable reality:
What happens when even highly qualified people cannot find a job that matchestheir skills?

We take a look at a studyon highly qualified Jewish quota refugees in Germany. The findings are clear:
Many bring degrees, experience, and competencies – yet still work far belowtheir level or even remain unemployed.

The reasons do not lie ina lack of performance, but in structural barriers:
Non-recognition of qualifications, limited access to the labor market, and weaknetworks make entry extremely difficult.

What remains is a keyinsight:
The labor market does not function based on performance alone.
Structures play a role – often more than we think.

This episode explains thestudy in a clear and accessible way – and raises a central question at the end:
If even highly qualified individuals fail, is it really their fault?

EmpowerMigra –understanding begins with listening.

Source:Gruber, E. (2002). Hochqualifiziert und arbeitslos? JüdischeKontingentflüchtlinge in NRW – Problemaspekte ihrer beruflichen Integration.

In this episode ofEmpowerMigra, we explore a question that many people underestimate:
Why do young people with a migration background have lower chances of gettingan apprenticeship – even with the same grades and qualifications?

We take a look at a studyby the Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training that examinesexactly this issue. The findings are clear:
The barriers do not start in the job itself, but already at the entry intovocational training.

Even with comparableschool performance, young people with a migration background have lower chancesof securing an apprenticeship. Many initially end up in the so-calledtransition system. Networks and social background play a role – but they do notfully explain these differences.

What remains is anuncomfortable insight:
Access to the labor market is not only a matter of performance, but also ofstructures and opportunities.

This episode explains thestudy in a clear and accessible way – and raises a central question at the end:
If not everyone has the same opportunities, how fair is the system really?

EmpowerMigra – understanding begins withlistening.

Source:Beicht, U., & Granato, M. (2011). Prekäre Übergänge vermeiden – Potenziale nutzen.Junge Frauen und Männer mit Migrationshintergrund an der Schwelle von derSchule zur Ausbildung. Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung.

In this episode, we look at a key question:
Why do many highly qualified people with a migration background work below their actual level of qualification?

The study by Franken and Kowalski shows that Germany has a large potential of well-educated professionals – but this potential is often not fully used.

The reasons include problems with the recognition of qualifications, a lack of professional networks, and structural barriers in the labor market.

As a result, highly qualified people often work in jobs that do not match their skills.

The study makes it clear that integration into the labor market does not depend only on individual performance, but is strongly influenced by existing structures and access to opportunities.

EmpowerMigra – understanding begins with listening

Source:

Franken, S., & Kowalski, S. (2006). Nutzungdes Potenzials junger Akademiker mit Migrationshintergrund für dieBundesrepublik Deutschland.

In this episode, we explore the question of whether migration really lowers wages – as is often claimed.

The study by Tanja Fendel shows that migration has only a very small effect on wages in Germany. In some cases, wages may even increase slightly in the long term.

An important point: people often move to regions with better economic opportunities. This creates differences that cannot be explained by migration alone.

The results make it clear: the labor market is complex – simple statements like “migration lowers wages” are too simplistic and are not supported by scientific data.

EmpowerMigra – understanding begins with listening

Source:

Fendel, T. (2016).Migration and regional wage disparities in Germany. Journal of Economics and Statistics (Jahrbücher für Nationalökonomie undStatistik), 236(1), 3–35.https://doi.org/10.1515/jbnst-2015-1001