Change and Continuity of Occupations Through Displacement: Evidence on Syrians in Istanbul, Gaziantep and Kilis

Abstract

Rather than focusing on the agency that refugees (re)gain in the host country, this paper uses the pre-displacement occupation as an indicator to analyse the change and continuity of their occupational pathways from home to host for demonstrating their agency. From an iterational perspective, their pre-displacement occupations reflect the agency underlying their job-seeking efforts and self-reliance. The findings show that while many refugees struggle to find employment, many can use their previous work experience and skills to pursue new careers in their respective fields. Their occupational composition is diverse, including individuals employed across various sectors—blue-collar, white-collar and entrepreneurial. Based on interviews with 110 Syrian refugees in Turkey, I argue that considering refugees' pre-displacement socio-economic context is crucial for examining their agency in host countries and for shaping refugee policies, as the development of their occupational pathways is closely linked to their pre-displacement occupations and may reflect either continuity or change.