Over 1,000 jobs in around 200 businesses across the country were filled within three months by recognized refugees hosted in Ministry of Migration and Asylum facilities, as part of the “Career Days” initiative.

Specifically, nine events were organized, three in Attica (Malakasa, Ritsona, Serafio) and six in the regions (Thessaloniki, Ioannina, Lesvos, Samos, Chios, and Kos), aimed at connecting refugees and asylum seekers looking for work with employers from various sectors in Greece facing labor shortages.

A total of 2,112 refugees participated, 4,319 interviews were conducted, and 1,285 job positions were offered to 965 individuals by 196 employers and businesses nationwide. Resumes were prepared in advance, and employers had the opportunity to speak personally with their potential employees.

This initiative was the result of collaboration between the Deputy Minister of Migration and Asylum, Sofia Voultepsi, and the Head of the UNHCR in Greece, Maria Clara Martin, with the contribution of the Secretary General for Reception and Identification, Stellina Siarapi, and the assistance of the managers of the facilities, where Integration Offices have already been established.

This is a key strategic goal aimed at promoting the employability of refugees, supporting the National Integration Strategy, to benefit both the refugees and the Greek economy and society in general, according to a statement from the ministry.

The Ministry of Migration and Asylum and the UNHCR are responsible for selecting employers and overseeing the entire process, choosing their partners on a case-by-case basis.

In Thessaloniki, 279 refugees and 15 employers participated, 775 interviews were conducted, and 234 job offers were made. The event was organized in collaboration with SolidarityNow.

In Samos, there were 211 participants, 20 employers, 116 interviews, and 67 job offers. This event was organized in collaboration with the International Organization for Migration (IOM Greece) as part of the HELIOS program and supported by METAdrasi.

In Ioannina, 111 refugees and 12 employers participated, 266 interviews were conducted, and 65 job offers were made. The event was organized in collaboration with the IOM through the HELIOS program and supported by Intersos Hellas – Intersos Greece, METAdrasi, and the Municipality of Ioannina (Intercultural Center for Social Integration “Academy”).

In Kos, 154 participants, 18 employers, 214 interviews, and 88 job offers were made. The event was organized in collaboration with the IOM through the HELIOS program and supported by METAdrasi, Praksis, and Glocal Roots.

In Lesvos, there were 452 participants, 29 employers, 991 interviews, and 219 job offers. The event was organized in collaboration with the IOM, METAdrasi, Dråpen i Havet, Lesvos Solidarity – Pikpa, Caritas Hellas, Eurorelief, Movement On The Ground, Iliaktida AMKE – Rad Music International, HIAS Greece, Siniparxi.

In Chios, there were 182 participants, 18 employers, 278 interviews, and 49 job offers. The event was organized in collaboration with the IOM as part of the HELIOS program, supported by EU Agency for Asylum-EUAA, METAdrasi, Praksis, Zeuxis.

In Malakasa, there were 124 participants, 18 employers, 247 interviews, and 168 job offers. The event was organized in collaboration with the IOM through the HELIOS program and supported by Catholic Relief Services, Caritas Hellas through the Adama Center, SolidarityNow, and METAdrasi.

In Ritsona, 330 participants, 33 employers, 715 interviews, and 248 job offers were made. The event was organized in collaboration with the IOM through the HELIOS program and supported by METAdrasi and SolidarityNow.

In Serafio, 269 participants, 33 employers, 717 interviews, and 147 job offers were made. The action in Serafio was implemented on the initiative of the Working Group on Skills Development and Labor Market Access of the Athens Coordination Center for Migrant and Refugee Issues (ACCMR), supported by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) as part of the HELIOS program (funded by the Ministry of Migration and Asylum) and the UNHCR in collaboration with the following organizations: Greek Forum of Migrants, METAdrasi, ActionAid, Caritas Hellas, Catholic Relief Services (CRS), International Rescue Committee (IRC), ITHACA, Junior Achievement Greece, Sistech, SolidarityNow.

As part of the systematic effort to find workers in critical sectors of the Greek economy facing labor shortages (agriculture, construction, tourism, catering, manufacturing, supply chain), 3,029 refugees found employment in 2023.

In employment actions carried out by Municipal Integration Centers, the UNHCR, the International Organization for Migration, and 83 NGOs, 12,342 interested individuals participated.