In this episode of EmpowerMigra, we tacklea persistent narrative: "Refugees cost the state money – and are a burden on the economy."

Sounds familiar?
But what do companies actually say – those that have hired refugees?

We look at a study by Alexander Kritikosand his team, based on real-world experiences from 100 companies in Germany.

The findings speak for themselves:
Higher productivity. More creativity. A more satisfied workforce.
And stronger employer attractiveness.

88% of the companies surveyed would hirerefugees again.
This is not an opinion – these are facts from practice.

And here the narrative falls apart:
If refugees supposedly "only generate costs" –
why do companies concretely benefit from them?

The study also shows: The biggest barriersare not a lack of motivation –
but language barriers, unrecognized qualifications, and bureaucracy.
Structural problems – not individual deficits.

This episode asks the uncomfortablequestion:
If companies benefit – why does the image of refugees as a "problem"persist so stubbornly?

Perhaps it’s time to ask the real question:
Not whether refugees are a burden –
but why we so often treat them as one, even though reality tells a differentstory.

EmpowerMigra – understanding begins withlistening.

Source:
Kritikos, A. et al. (2022). Wenn Unternehmen Geflüchtete einstellen –Erfahrungen, Erfolge und Herausforderungen aus der betrieblichen Praxis. DIWBerlin.