Rio de Janeiro - Nothing better than starting the year with a guaranteed job. This was the expectation of migrants and refugees who were present at the headquarters of Caritas Rio de Janeiro on December 14th to participate in the Trampoline Fair of Employability. The activity was held in partnership with the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and the Public Ministry of Labor of Rio de Janeiro (MPT-RJ).

The 62 people who attended the event participated in interviews with companies and institutions that are partners of Caritas RJ and the IOM, such as Burger King, JFC, Kles, Instituto Aliança and Aliança do Livro. Rio's Municipal Secretariat of Labor and Employment (SMTE) was also present, offering guidance on how to download the Digital Workbook application and registering professionals for possible job openings on the city's opportunity platform, Emprega Rio.

Those interested were able to apply for jobs as attendants, coordinators, production and logistics assistants, and cookers, among others, that were available at the fair. The social assistants from Cáritas RJ's employability team helped in sorting out the resumes of the participants who were arriving and in forwarding them to the interviews with potential employers. All the people who participated received transportation assistance.

EXPECTATIONS AND HOPE

Luzmary, a 38-year-old Venezuelan, has been living in Brazil for two years and has been looking for a new job opening since August 2021. With a degree in food quality control, she worked in a pizzeria in Rio, but the establishment closed down during the pandemic. In order not to improve herself, she successfully attended a Bakery and Confectionery training course offered by Caritas RJ, in partnership with the IOM and the Federation of Industries of Rio de Janeiro, through the National Service for Industrial Learning (SENAI).

"I hope to leave the fair with a job, with something more secure. I just want to work, have more tranquility, get some stability for me and my family - my two children, my husband, and my parents. My brothers stayed in Venezuela and I wish they could come here and have more opportunities," says Luzmary. 

At the end of the event, Human Resources professionals from the companies present consolidated their analysis of interviews and admissions delighted about many of the candidates they had the opportunity to meet. Soon, the participants should receive the long-awaited news.

"This fair is even more important in view of the whole scenario of unemployment and pandemic, when many people were unable to exercise their activities or lost their jobs, leaving them in even more fragile situations," pointed out the Integration Coordinator of Cáritas RJ, Debora Alves. "The expectation is that many people will be able to insert themselves in the job market, in positions that are in accordance with the labor legislation. We raise awareness and guide companies, refugees, and migrants so that no one is exposed to exploitative situations.

From May to November, the work in partnership between Caritas RJ and IOM benefited about 350 Venezuelans and migrants from neighboring countries to Brazil with preparation courses for the labor market and technical training in areas such as administration, sewing, baking, and retail. The referral of trained professionals to selection processes with sensitized companies is one of the stages of support offered to these people.

"IOM is very happy to see companies gathered in an employability event dedicated to migrant and refugee professionals," said IOM project coordinator Diogo Felix. "This is a sign that Rio de Janeiro's economy is recovering from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and that companies are understanding that this audience has an important role to play in this recovery."

OPPORTUNITY PLATFORM

Launched by Cáritas RJ in November 2021, the Trampoline platform, supported by IOM, allows companies to register job opportunities while refugees and migrants living in Rio register their resumes, providing a virtual space in which those who need to hire and those who need a job can meet.

The vacancies offered on the site are analyzed by the employability team of Cáritas RJ, which may or may not approve the publication of an opportunity on the platform. The objective of this verification is to avoid situations of non-compliance with labor laws and possible labor exploitation.  

The IOM's participation in these activities takes place within the Oportunidades project, implemented with financial support from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).