The issue of refugees is one of the most important issues, that attracts the
attention of societies today and is discussed between countries. Refugees are
people who flee their original home to another county in search of security, work
and a decent living, due to conflict, occupation, or persecution by rulers. It
necessary to discuss the integrating refugees case from two different perspectives
some people see the refugees have positive impact, However others see that they
may pose a burden on society. This essay will discuss two positive impacts of
refugees (The Economic impact of refuges on a national local levels and social
proximity) and two negative impacts (obtaining employment and mental health
problems).
Refugees can have a positive side, on the economy of the host country as it
can be observed at two Levels (local and national). Refugees can affect trade in
the prices of goods and products as well as heighten the competition between
traders in the markets )Jacobsen , 2021 cited in Chang( . When competition in
trade increases, this will benefit the economy in terms of increasing the volume of
buying and selling as well as raising the commercial aspect of the host country. As
a result, trade will develop to become international trade. The impact of Refugees
at the national level leads to an increase in the budget and the prosperity of trade.
In addition, refugees can have another positive impact on host country through
cohesion and cooperation in living. Korol & Bevelander (2023), stated that in order
to give this side enough attention, experiments were conducted to discuss how
refugees can have a positive side in social cohesion means evident in the co-
existence and integration of two culturally and ethnically different people into
society. This supports the idea of refugees coexisting with the host country and
integrating into society without discrimination or racism.
On the other hand, there are negatives that affects refugees living in
another country. Before obtain citizen ship in the host countries, they live in
campus and shelters, which negatively affects their ability to get a Job later and
increases the employment deficit (De La Chaux et al., 2018; De Vroom & Van
Tubergen,2010 cited in Hirst et al,2021(. Digital studies have shown that there are
more than 10,000 refugee participants from more than nine countries (Ivevs and
Veliziotis 2018 cited in Hirst et al ,2021). The most affected people during the
conflict period are women who have lived in shelters for a period of time This has
led to them suffering from unemployment and not being given Jobs that are
suitable for them (Ivevs and Veliziotis 2018 cited in Hirst et al ,2021). It has been
proven that in many countries (e.g., Netherlands, Sweden, the United States and
Australia), most Jobs in the host country require high language proficiency, this
makes it difficult for refugees to find jobs (Mamgain & Collins,2003 and Fong et
al.,2007 cited in Hirst et al 2021). In addition, refugees especially young People
suffer psychological problems and crises that may affect their mental state. Before
fleeing to another country, refugees often face tragic scenes and persecution this
leads to them suffering from psychological problems and health disorders
(Pumariega , Rothe , &Pumariega , 2005 cited in El-Bialy&Mulay ,2015).
In conclusion, this essay highlights the negative challenges that refugees face,
such as difficulty finding employment and psychological issues encountered by
young people before resettlement. However, despite these challenges, refugees
can have a positive impact on the host country by increasing economic growth
and national income through tax payments. Additionally, social cohesion and the
coexistence of refugees with the host country can foster a willingness to accept
more refugees.
Reference list:
Chang, C. 2012, ‘The economically rich refugees: A case study of the business operations of
Istanbul-based Syrian refugee businesspeople’, International Migration. Available at:
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/imig.12886 (Accessed: 16 Feb. 2024).
EL-Bialy, R. & Mulay, S. 2015, ‘Two sides of the same coin: Factors that support and challenge
the wellbeing of refugees resettled in a small urban center’, Health & Place, vol. 35, pp. 52-59.
Available at:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1353829215000921 (Accessed: 16 Feb.
2024).
Hirst, G., Curtis, S., Nielsen, N., Smyth, R., Newman, A. & Xiao, N. 2021, ‘Refugee recruitment
and workplace integration: An opportunity for human resource management scholarship and
impact’, Human Resource Management Journal.
Korol, L. & Bevelander, P. 2023, ‘The Power of Positive Thinking: How Positive Opinions of
Refugees’ Impact on the Host Society Generate Positive Behavioural Intentions’, Journal of
Refugee Studies, vol. 36, no. 1.
