London, June 19, 2023—Today, major multinational corporations such as Amazon, Marriott, and Hilton have made a significant commitment to support refugees, including Ukrainian women who have been displaced by the war with Russia. In an announcement preceding World Refugee Day, more than 40 companies have collectively pledged to employ over 13,000 refugees across Europe in the next three years.
This collaborative effort aims to provide job opportunities, work connections, and training to a total of 250,000 refugees, with 13,680 individuals securing direct employment within these companies. Recognizing the profound impact of these commitments, Kelly Clements, the U.N. deputy high commissioner for refugees, emphasized the importance of each number representing a personal story of a family seeking safety and the chance to rebuild their lives.
The global displacement crisis has affected a staggering 110 million people worldwide, with an estimated 12 million refugees originating from Ukraine alone. Nearly half of these Ukrainian refugees have found their way to Europe, marking the largest refugee movement on the continent since World War II. The business community’s support and engagement are deemed crucial in addressing this humanitarian challenge.
In Paris, the Tent Partnership for Refugees, a nonprofit organization founded by Chobani CEO Hamdi Ulukaya, has spearheaded a hiring initiative in Europe. The nonprofit serves as a bridge between businesses and refugees, facilitating connections and opportunities. At a gathering in Paris, the organization unveiled its latest endeavor, building on the success of its inaugural summit in the United States the previous year, which resulted in commitments to employ 22,725 refugees.
Leading the charge in this new round of commitments is Amazon, pledging to hire a minimum of 5,000 refugees in Europe over the next three years. Marriott and Hilton follow suit with commitments of 1,500 refugees each, while Starbucks and ISS have pledged to hire 1,000 refugees each. Other notable brands such as Adidas, L’Oreal, PepsiCo, and Hyatt have also made smaller commitments to support this cause.
Ofori Agboka, Amazon’s Vice President overseeing human resources, expressed the company’s enthusiasm for the initiative, highlighting the benefits of diversity in their workforce. Recognizing that a diverse workforce fosters innovation, creativity, and varied perspectives, Agboka emphasized the positive impact that the inclusion of refugees can have on making Amazon a stronger company.
Agboka further specified that the majority of the newly pledged jobs within Amazon will be hourly positions based in fulfillment and storage centers, as well as in transport and delivery services. This focus reflects the nature of the roles that will be available to refugees.
It is worth noting that earlier this year, Amazon announced a reduction of 27,000 jobs, which was part of a broader wave of layoffs observed across the tech industry after the heightened hiring during the COVID-19 pandemic. Agboka clarified that these job cuts primarily affected salaried office positions, rather than the hourly roles that are now being created for refugees.
A compelling example of the opportunities being provided is Daria Sedihi-Volchenko, who fled Kyiv and now resides in Warsaw, Poland. She has secured a senior program manager position within Amazon Web Services, overseeing a program that offers free technology training to Ukrainians. Sedihi-Volchenko highlights that approximately 40% of participants in the program lack a tech background, demonstrating the inclusivity of the initiative and its ability to provide opportunities for individuals from diverse backgrounds.
Recalling her own journey, Sedihi-Volchenko shared her personal experience and the commitment she made during her interview with Amazon. She explained that she had undergone a similar path as many of the learners in the program she now manages. Recognizing the need to adapt and learn, she made a promise during her interview to learn the Polish language and acquire the necessary technical skills.
A year ago, Sedihi-Volchenko experienced the horrifying wake-up call of explosions caused by Russia’s invasion. The event filled her with fear and concern for Ukraine, its people, the future, and her own life. It was a profoundly shocking moment that made her realize that her entire life was about to change.
To ensure her safety, she sought refuge in basements. However, as the Russian forces approached Kyiv, she decided to leave. Sedihi-Volchenko embarked on a grueling 40-hour drive to reach Moldova, expressing gratitude that she managed to navigate the journey without encountering any landmines or being targeted by gunfire.
Her journey reflects the immense challenges and risks faced by individuals like herself, emphasizing the urgent need for support and opportunities for refugees to rebuild their lives in safer environments.
Seeking employment, Sedihi-Volchenko made her way to Poland, shifting her career path towards IT after previously working as a project manager for government ministries and as an economist in Ukraine.
The current economic rebound following the pandemic has created staffing needs, and companies are looking to refugees as a potential solution. In Europe, unemployment rates have reached their lowest levels since the introduction of the euro currency in 1999.
Marriott International CEO, Anthony Capuano, acknowledged the surge in demand for their properties in Europe and emphasized the need for aggressive hiring to meet customer needs. Marriott’s job opportunities primarily consist of hourly positions such as housekeepers, kitchen staff, and front desk attendants.
European nations have shown openness in welcoming Ukrainian refugees. While Clements commended the provision of educational and work opportunities to Ukrainians, she stressed the importance of extending the same support to individuals fleeing conflicts and crises in other regions like Syria, Sudan, and Afghanistan.
Sedihi-Volchenko understands the unique challenges that refugees face, even with assistance from companies in areas such as language skills, counseling, and training. Job listings can be difficult to navigate, and like her, many refugees may encounter obstacles in accessing stable internet connections or acquiring appropriate work attire.
She emphasizes that it is crucial to allow refugees sufficient time to learn the language, but also highlights that individuals with prior experience in IT systems, finance, project management, or other fields can contribute effectively from the start. Such experience enables them to understand the workflow, making language proficiency less of a barrier in certain roles.
