Starbucks pledges to hire 10,000 refugees
In response to President Trump’s recent immigration ban, Starbucks has pledged to hire 10,000 refugees globally over the next five years.
On Friday, Trump signed an executive order barring immigrants from seven majority-Muslim countries for a minimum of 90 days, and suspending the US refugee program for 120 days.
Starbucks operates more than 25,000 stores in 75 countries worldwide. Recruitment will begin in the US and focus on people who have served or supported the US military.
Starbucks chief executive Howard Schultz said he wrote to employees with “deep concern, a heavy heart and a resolute promise”—adding he wanted them to know that the firm would “neither stand by, nor stand silent, as the uncertainty around the new administration’s actions grow with each passing day.”
The recruitment pledge was “a concerted effort to welcome and seek opportunities for those fleeing war, violence, persecution and discrimination,” he said.
Mr Schultz is the latest US corporate Chief to criticize the ban. Silicon Valley giants including Facebook, Google, and Tesla have made public statements. Airbnb is offering free accommodation to people affected by the travel restrictions and unable to get in the US.
Pieter Bevelander has written for IZA World of Labor about integrating refugees into labor markets. In comparison to other immigrant categories, refugees have a slower start but subsequently “catch up” with other non-economic entry categories. But. Refugees do not reach the same level of labor market integration as economic immigrants and natives. Although more research is needed, results from existing studies show that access to country-specific introductory packages can help refugees adapt to a new society. Country-specific skills like language proficiency and knowledge of the new labor market are important for obtaining success in host countries’ labor markets.
Related articles:
Integrating refugees into labor markets, by Pieter Bevelander
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