Mexico's work program helps migrants and economy

DW (English)

Mexico has established job programs for migrants that help both new arrivals and the local economy. A nationwide NGO is aiming to find jobs for some 250,000 people.

Transcript

00:00Ten years ago, Ronaldo was forced to flee Venezuela.

00:04He had become a target after protesting against the country's government.

00:09Now he's made Mexico his home, but he's also learned what it means to live as a refugee.

00:15RONALDO, Mexican Refugee There's always fear, fear that they'll get

00:22you and that you can't get out of Mexico City anymore.

00:28I'm afraid to knock on doors, even if it's just because I'm looking for a job.

00:36Two years ago, Ronaldo was designated a refugee, allowing him to take a job as a porter for

00:42the Marriott Hotel Polanco.

00:45The job might have come through a charity, but it's a success story, for the hotel too.

00:51HR manager Irma Flores appreciates what refugees bring to the company.

00:56IRMA FLORES, HR Manager, Marriott Hotel Polanco They have a great attitude, especially in

01:02the service industry.

01:03They radiate, and you can tell they're here driven to work and to improve their lives.

01:09The charity is called NGO Tent Partnership for Refugees.

01:13It's a middleman between the public and private sector, and it was forged through a U.N. concept

01:18aimed at improving the situation for migrants.

01:22Over the past five years, the NGO has arranged work for 5,000 foreigners, still far from

01:27their goal of filling 250,000 open positions.

01:31But every job they fill brings great advantages to all involved, says the organization's director,

01:37Gerardo Ancira.

01:38GERARDO ANCIRA, Director, NGO Tent Partnership for Refugees In my opinion, companies should

01:45appreciate the talents migrants are bringing.

01:48They're good employees, and they are motivated, even motivating others.

01:52They can bring improvement to any company that wants to integrate.

01:57NGO will also have a presence in a new migrant center in Tapachula, on the border to Guatemala.

02:07It's part of a new strategy by President Claudia Scheinbaum.

02:11She wants to continue her country's restrictive policies, but also create jobs to control

02:16the flow of migrants.

02:18So far, most migrant job programs were designed with the global north in mind.

02:25And don't always respond to the needs of migrants themselves, says Amarela Varela.

02:30AMARELA VARELA, Migrant Worker, Tent Partnership for Refugees In Guatemala

02:32They don't differentiate, but it does matter whether you're working with the Spanish market,

02:36with its ethnic niches, with its special situation in construction or care, or whether you're

02:41talking about the Mexican market, which is less regulated.

02:51For Ronald, the Marriott is more than an employer.

02:54He's found a family here and an opportunity to live a dignified life.

02:59His I.T. studies aren't worth much anymore, so he's happy to have found a new calling.

03:04RONALD, Migrant Worker, Tent Partnership for Refugees In Guatemala

03:07Now I can pay my share, including taxes.

03:11I can enjoy my days off.

03:14I can enjoy anything, all these simple things.

03:19Mexicans are born with certain rights, whereas migrants like me have to fight for them.

03:26Integration seems key for Mexico's economy and wealth.

03:30Right now, the country is seeing record numbers of new arrivals.

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