News

New Talking Economics Episode: What Really Helps Refugees Integrate into Labour Markets?

13 August, 2026

In a new episode of CERGE-EI’s Talking Economics podcast, Assistant Professor Achim Ahrens discusses what economic research tells us about migration, refugees and labour market integration. Speaking with host Katarina Stehlíková Štěpánková, Ahrens explains that the labour market effects of migration are far more complex than public debate often suggests.

 “There is no empirical consensus,” he says, noting that the impact depends on the setting, the type of workers arriving and whether the change is sudden or gradual. Ahrens emphasizes that refugees differ fundamentally from regular economic migrants. While many economic migrants arrive with a job offer or a clear work plan, refugees often flee persecution, conflict or war, with little control over when or where they move. “Refugees, by contrast, are not economically self-selected; their timing and destination are largely outside of their control,” he explains. These differences matter: refugees may face trauma, uncertainty about their right to stay and legal barriers to work, all of which affect their labour market prospects.

The episode also presents findings from Ahrens’ research on Switzerland, where he and his co-authors study how labour market restrictions affect refugees. The research focuses on employment bans, rules requiring employers to prioritize resident workers, sector restrictions and geographic limits on where refugees can work. According to Ahrens, the findings are clear: “All four policies — the employment ban, the prioritization of residents, and the sector and regional restrictions — reduce the employment and earnings of refugees.” The effects are large and persistent, continuing even years after restrictions are lifted.

One of the striking findings is that restrictions do not only reduce employment; they can also lower wages for refugees who do find work. Ahrens explains that restrictions weaken refugees’ outside options and bargaining power. “Because employers observe that it’s more difficult for refugees to find work, and because refugees have fewer alternatives, employers push wages down,” he says. This challenges the idea that limiting access to work protects labour market outcomes. Instead, the evidence suggests that such policies can make integration slower and more difficult.

The discussion also turns to Ukrainian refugees and the comparison between Switzerland and the Czech Republic. Ahrens notes that Ukrainians in Czechia have much higher employment rates than in Switzerland, likely supported by stronger pre-existing networks, language proximity and fewer administrative barriers. At the same time, he cautions that high employment does not always mean good job matches, as many Ukrainians may be working below their skill level.

His broader message is that migration policy should be evidence-based: “Once refugees or immigrants generally are in a country and expect to stay, it should be as easy as possible for them to access and find a job.”

Listen to the new episode on CERGE-EI Youtube channel here. 
Listen to the new episode on Spotify.