Forced Migration in the OIC Member Countries:
Policy Framework Adopted by Host Countries
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right to access employment and opportunities for support activities, such as language classes
or training.197 Reception officers at the Migration Agency collect basic information on asylum
seekers’ educational and work backgrounds. This information is stored in a database at the
Migration Agency, which reception officers can reference if opportunities arise to connect
asylum seekers with employment or “work experience placements” (internships).
Once applicants are placed in housing, they become part of a “reception unit” that organizes
group information sessions, training courses, and social activities in cooperation with non-
profit groups.198 In late 2015, the Migration Agency began working with Swedish “adult study
associations” (civil society groups devoted to adult education) to organize study groups in the
reception centers.199 The study groups provide basic Swedish language education and general
orientation course to Swedish culture and society.
Expanding introduction activities, including language training and work experience programs,
while asylum claims are processed is currently a key priority of the government. The budget
proposal for 2016 devoted substantial financial resources to expanding skills assessment,
language, adult education, and guidance programs for asylum seekers.200 The Public
Employment Service will also be required to undertake assessments of asylum seekers skills
and qualifications as a part of its regular activities as of 2017.
Access to work after recognition
Recognized protection beneficiaries, like asylum seekers, have full work rights.201 Once an
asylum seeker's application for international protection is granted, the Employment Service is
responsible for working with him or her to develop an individual "introduction plan" designed
to facilitate entry into the labor market. The process begins with an introduction interview to
map the individual's background and experience, and includes validation of his or her prior
qualifications and education, if possible. Regulations specify that the introduction interview
should happen within two months after a residence permit has been granted, but the
Employment Service estimated that as of April 2016 the wait time for participants to begin
their introduction plans was 115 days, in large part because of delays in connecting
recognized refugees with permanent housing.202
100,000 people as of April 2015), and will find it difficult to match them with appropriate work experience placements or
other opportunities. Interview with Marten Martensson, Operations Specialist, Reception Unit, Region South,
Migrationsverket, April 15, 2016
197 Interview with Marten Martensson, Operations Specialist, Reception Unit, Region South, Migrationsverket, April 15, 2016
198 Very short processing times for asylum applications up until early 2015 (just 3 to 6 months in many cases), caused the
Migration Agency to suspend most of their introductory programs in the reception unit. As application numbers, and
processing times, rose in mid-2015, the Migration Agency began to reintroduce some activities. Interview with Marten
Martensson, Operations Specialist, Reception Unit, Region South, Migrationsverket, April 15, 2016
199 The adult study associations reported 73,000 participants in the study groups in 2015.
200 The new budget commits an additional SEK 10 million (approximately USD 1.2 million) to County Administrative Boards
for introduction activities (in addition to SEK 72 million, or approximately USD 9 million, that is reallocated to the counties
from the Migration Agency), and a further 10 million to invest in developing digital language learning platforms. The
Employment Service is given an additional 90 million to develop skills assessment packages for asylum seekers. Another
SEK 97 million (approximately USD 12 million) is given to adult educational institutions to improve offerings for asylum
seekers. Government Offices of Sweden, “Initiatives in the spring budget for more efficient introduction and reduced
unemployment,” updated April 13, 2016,
budget-for-more-efficient-introduction-and-reduced-unemployment/
201 Permanent residents in Sweden are exempt from the requirement to hold a work permit under Chapter 2 (8) of the
Aliens Act. The Aliens Ordinance also excepts asylum seekers from obtaining a work permit under Chapter 5(4).
202 Data provided by the Swedish Employment Service upon request.