Refugees are described as any person who has a well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of religion, nationality, race, political opinion or membership of a particular social group, is outside of their country of nationality and is owing to such ear or unable to avail themselves of protection in that country (Genera Refugee Convention, 1951). The number of refugees is increased. During 2015, there were over 21.3 million refugees worldwide, an increase of 1.7 million from 2015 (UNHCR, 2016). Australia has a long history of welcoming refugees. Since federation Australia has welcomed over 800,000 refugees and humanitarian entrants (Parliament of Australia, 2017). With such a large intake of refugees one issue that is becoming more and
…show more content…
Employment after settlement has been regarded to be an important coping mechanism for refugees, as they may have experienced the trauma of fleeing their own countries, dangerous and tough journeys when seeking asylum and refuge, as well as distress of separating from their family members (Lomba, 2010). Having a job in their adopted country and being independent to financially support themselves help them to restore of self-worthiness which could potentially diminish during prolonged periods of seeking asylum (Fleay, Hartley & Kenny, 2013). Joblessness, unfavourable working conditions and insecure employment have been negatively associated with sense of control, self-confidence as well as social contact among refugees (Schuring, Burdorf, Kunst, Voorham, & Mackenbach, 2009). The issue of social exclusion among unemployed refugees has been reiterated by Phillimore and Goodson (2006)’s research, which suggested unemployed refugees are much harder to assimilate to their host society than those who have gained employment. Refugees’ psychological wellbeing is therefore jeopardised by unemployment in their host society based on the factors mentioned above. In Beiser, Johnson and Turner (1993) ’s study, reciprocal relationships between unemployment and depressive affect have been found, unemployed refugees are having
Employment after settlement has been regarded to be an important coping mechanism for refugees, as they may have experienced the trauma of fleeing their own countries, dangerous and tough journeys when seeking asylum and refuge, as well as distress of separating from their family members (Lomba, 2010). Having a job in their adopted country and being independent to financially support themselves help them to restore of self-worthiness which could potentially diminish during prolonged periods of seeking asylum (Fleay, Hartley & Kenny, 2013). Joblessness, unfavourable working conditions and insecure employment have been negatively associated with sense of control, self-confidence as well as social contact among refugees (Schuring, Burdorf, Kunst, Voorham, & Mackenbach, 2009). The issue of social exclusion among unemployed refugees has been reiterated by Phillimore and Goodson (2006)’s research, which suggested unemployed refugees are much harder to assimilate to their host society than those who have gained employment. Refugees’ psychological wellbeing is therefore jeopardised by unemployment in their host society based on the factors mentioned above. In Beiser, Johnson and Turner (1993) ’s study, reciprocal relationships between unemployment and depressive affect have been found, unemployed refugees are having