NextBillion - An Initiative of the William Davidson Institute at the University of Michigan

By Jana Kuhnt & Kirsten Schuettler

Displaced people face many challenges when integrating into the labor market in their host communities. They are also more likely than the host population to be employed in sectors that are highly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, such as manufacturing, accommodation, and food services. And they are mostly employed informally, and thus have no job security or access to social safety nets during the COVID-19 related economic downturn. 

So what can be done to help displaced people during this difficult time?

One solution is turning to digital technology. Digital technology can support labor market integration of the displaced during the pandemic, while taking into account the lessons learned on how jobs interventions need to be adapted for that population. Here are three examples.

Photo courtesy of Internews Europe.