More than 60 service and tourism companies participated in the first business event of the Vivir la Integración Dimensión Empleo (Living integration, Employment dimension) program, with the aim of giving jobs to refugees in the country.
The statistics of the authorities indicate that almost 50% of refugees live in unemployment. Faced with this situation, UNHCR Costa Rica and the Chamber of Industries, Chamber of Commerce and Chamber of Commerce Diversa created the initiative “Living integration”. The initiative has the support of the Ministry of Labor and Social Security.
“Living Integration” facilitates labor intermediation methods, as well as specialized labor training for labor insertion and economic incentives.
The Directorate General of Migration (DGME) indicates that 4,493 people have a refugee status and there are 6,337 applicants. Refugees and applicants for refugee status come mostly from Venezuela, Colombia, El Salvador, Honduras and Guatemala.
The Living Integration Dimension Employment program also offers companies the opportunity to participate through the Living Integration Seal. These are the characteristics of the process:
-It is based on ISO 26000, which consists of a certification that corresponds to the fulfillment of the human rights of the refugee population.
-Those interested should apply and a committee made up of representatives of the social sector, government, municipalities and the business sector will analyze the proposals.
-After the committee’s analysis, companies may be entitled to the Living Integration Seal.
-For the first time, the stamp will be delivered on March 15th and more details can be found on the website www.vivirlaintegracion.cr