Obstacles to validating professional experience and the productive integration of refugees: a study among recruiters in the Metropolitan Region of São Paulo

Abstract

In recent years, the hundreds of thousands of people arriving in Brazil seeking refuge have been welcomed. After their emergency needs are met, they receive support to restart their professional trajectory and ensure their and their families’ sustenance and autonomy. Data supporting this cycle of social protections has been produced on the competencies of immigrants - allowing for the improvement of guidance and training. However, little is known about the obstacles to validating the experiences and possible hiring of these professionals. In the face of this scenario, an unprecedented proposal was conducted that questioned companies, through their recruitment and selection departments, to capture the technical and subjective circumstances that could affect the validation of refugees’ experience and qualification, culminating in their approval or rejection for job positions. This quantitative and exploratory research was conducted among recruitment and selection professionals working in companies in the Metropolitan Region of São Paulo, who responded to a virtual questionnaire in a non-probabilistic sample. The research showed that the respondents do not master the procedures for hiring refugees, ignoring points of legislation and nurturing unfounded fears about labor audits. In addition to these points, the perpetuation of racial stereotypes that disadvantage Africans and Central Americans and privilege Europeans and North Americans was seen. Finally, the role of business organizations in the cycle of social protection and productive insertion of groups in high vulnerability was discussed.