Netherlands: Ikea launches a jobs inclusion programme for seventy refugees

The Swedish furniture chain plans to train 70 people with a refugee background in the Netherlands by way of a three-month paid work experience placement including a language learning course. At the end of the training, some may be able to start working at Ikea, or may be hired in other companies thanks to the work experience they will have gained as well as the support they will have received in writing a CV and preparing for a job interview. This initiative, which contributes to the inclusion of refugees into the Dutch labour market, is part of Ikea’s larger Working and Growing Together programme that aims to support at least 2,500 refugees in more than 300 of the Ingka holding company’s stores over a period of three years. For example, Ikea’s French branch has already supported 88 people over the past two years. In June 2021, it was Belgium’s turn to welcome another 80 refugees for training experience in its stores. In countries where refugees are not allowed to work, the Working and Growing Together programme aims to influence opinion by highlighting successful employment inclusion experiences. Ikea works with specialised organisations such as the UN Refugee Agency (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, UNHCR), and The Tent Partnership for Refugees.