UNHCR Guidelines on International Legal Standards relating to Decent Work for Refugees

Abstract

UNHCR issues these Guidelines pursuant to its mandate, as contained in, inter alia, the Statute of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, paragraph 8(a), in conjunction with Article 35 of the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and Article II of its 1967 Protocol. These Guidelines set out legal standards relevant for refugees to access decent work. They are intended to provide guidance to governments in developing and implementing legislation, policies and programmes regarding asylum and/or labour; and to decision-makers, including administrative and judicial bodies, in making decisions affecting refugees’ opportunities to access decent work. They also aim to assist other international and national entities, such as employers’ and workers’ organizations, trade unions, civil society and private sector organizations, and enterprises; and national human rights institutions; as well as UNHCR and other UN entities dealing with decent work for refugees. These Guidelines have been prepared in consultation with the International Labour Organization (ILO). The Guidelines are available online at: .