Employment is crucial factor for inclusion: it brings economic independence, and it is often a starting point for newcomers and migrants to develop local networks and relationships, and to fully develop their potential. However, migrants and newcomer do not always have easy and clear access to information regarding their rights and duties; besides, misconceptions and biases may also pose barriers to an inclusive recruitment process.

Through the project “Inclusive Recruitment” the Portuguese municipalities of Amadora, Loures and Oeiras worked on ways and means to encourage Portuguese employers to hire migrants and newcomers, taking advantage from diversity.

Sponsored through an ICC intercity grant, the project mapped the obstacles to smoother inclusive recruitment in Portugal, with the view to address knowledge and know-how gaps among employers. They developed an inclusive recruitment guide called “Employers’ starter pack”, to provide information on labour laws for Portuguese companies, on areas such as migration legislation and workplace inclusion. Specific information was further developed to target and empower job-seekers. The project was implemented in a participatory manner, involving the relevant local authorities, representatives of the workers and employers, including big companies such as Ikea and Portugalia.

Thanks to the success of the Guide and with the help of the Portuguese Network of Intercultural Cities (RPCI Cooperative) some additional multimedia material has been produced including short videos and a series of podcast.

The report can be easily replicated by other ICC members through adaptation to their legal and administrative contexts.

 Full project report (only English)

 Handbook on Inclusive Labour Market (English / Portuguese)

 Brochure for migrants information: English, French, Portuguese, Nepali, Bengali, Arabic