International Labour Organization (ILO) has marked the tenth anniversary of its Guiding Principles on the Access of Refugees and Other Forcibly Displaced Persons to the Labour Market, highlighting both progress achieved over the past decade and the persistent challenges that continue to limit access to decent work for millions of displaced people worldwide.
As the world approaches World Refugee Day under the theme “Until Everyone is Safe,” the ILO has launched a series of knowledge products aimed at strengthening the implementation of the Guiding Principles.
The initiative seeks to highlight practical activities, policy ideas, and country-level experiences that can help refugees and other forcibly displaced people rebuild their lives by promoting sustainable livelihoods and inclusive labour markets.
According to Gladys Cisneros, Chief of the ILO Labour Migration Branch, “ten years after their adoption, the Guiding Principles remain as relevant as ever.”
“At a time when displacement is at record levels, access to decent work is essential not only for refugees and other forcibly displaced persons, but also for strengthening host communities, fostering social cohesion and supporting inclusive economic development.”
Gladys Cisneros
The Guiding Principles, adopted in 2016 by ILO constituents, provide a comprehensive framework for governments, employers and workers’ organisations to address displacement through employment-centred policies.
Structured around six pillars, the framework covers governance systems for labour market access, inclusive economic and employment policies, labour rights and equality of opportunity, coordination between stakeholders, voluntary repatriation and reintegration of returnees, and additional pathways for labour mobility.
Over the past decade, the principles have increasingly influenced national policy development in countries hosting large refugee populations.
According to the ILO, they have helped improve labour market governance, strengthened recognition of the economic contributions of displaced populations, and encouraged more inclusive approaches that benefit both refugees and host communities.
Despite these gains, the organisation warns that significant barriers remain. Millions of refugees and forcibly displaced persons continue to face legal restrictions, administrative hurdles and structural inequalities that limit their access to formal employment, skills recognition systems, social protection and equal treatment in the workplace.
Informality remains widespread among displaced populations in many regions, leaving workers without stable incomes, legal protections or access to essential services. Discrimination and limited availability of quality employment opportunities further compound the challenge, preventing many from achieving economic independence and long-term stability.
At the same time, global displacement levels remain at historic highs, intensifying pressure on labour markets in host countries and increasing the urgency of coordinated policy responses.
The ILO emphasises that access to decent work is not merely an economic issue but a critical component of protection and dignity for displaced populations.
ILO Launches New Resources on Refugee Labour Inclusion
To mark the anniversary, ILO has launched series of knowledge products aligned with the six pillars of the Guiding Principles, drawing on experiences from countries that have implemented innovative approaches to refugee labour market inclusion.
The publications aim to provide policymakers, employers’ organisations, workers’ representatives and development partners with evidence-based examples of how inclusive labour market policies can be designed and implemented in different contexts.
The first set of four publications released by the ILO focuses on country-specific experiences and policy lessons. These include governance frameworks supporting refugee self-reliance in Uganda, data-driven labour market integration strategies in Germany, integration of displaced populations into national systems in Kenya, and labour rights and equality of opportunity in Colombia.
Each case study highlights practical steps taken at national level to address barriers faced by displaced workers while strengthening institutional frameworks for inclusion. Together, they form part of a growing global repository of good practices aimed at translating the Guiding Principles from policy guidance into measurable action.
Uganda’s experience, for example, demonstrates how governance reforms can support refugee self-reliance through more inclusive labour market access. Germany’s approach highlights the role of data systems in adapting employment policies to changing labour market needs. Kenya’s case illustrates efforts to integrate displaced populations into national development and service delivery systems, while Colombia’s experience focuses on advancing labour rights and reducing discrimination in employment.
According to ILO, these examples show that, while contexts differ significantly, common principles of inclusion, coordination and rights-based approaches can support better outcomes for both refugees and host communities.
Additional knowledge products covering other pillars of the Guiding Principles are expected to be released in the coming months, expanding the evidence base for policy action on refugee labour market inclusion.
As World Refugee Day approaches, the organisation is calling for renewed political commitment to ensuring that displaced people are not excluded from economic participation.
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