Menzies Aviation has confirmed its commitment to hiring 150 refugees in Europe, among them Ukrainian refugee women.
The ground handling specialist revealed its plans at the Tent European Business Summit, organised in Paris by the Tent Partnership for Refugees (Tent), a global network of more than 300 companies committed to supporting the economic integration of refugees. The initiative has the backing of some of the best-known brands in Europe, among them Accenture, Genrali, Marriot International and Teleperformance. Between them they have pledged to provide jobs and training to tens of thousands of refugees across Europe over the next three years. Collectively, this marks the most significant ever set of business commitments made to advance the economic integration of refugees.
Not only is it the right thing to, supporting refugees also leads to hugely loyal and hardworking employees
As well as hiring 150 refugees in Europe, Menzies has set an overall goal of recruiting refugees equivalent to 1% of its global workforce over the next three years. It has also committed to providing training and support, including local language lessons, for all new refugee recruits.
Since the war in Ukraine, Menzies has hired 20 Ukrainian refugees in Europe and, more recently, in Montreal, Canada. The company took a proactive approach, contacting Ukrainian aviation services companies to offer employment to people fleeing the country.
Juliet Thomson, chief people officer, Menzies Aviation, said: “Menzies is committed to supporting refugees breaking down the barriers they may face in finding work, and we welcome the opportunity for further diversity that hiring refugees brings. On the eve of World Refugee Day, it was heartening to attend the Tent European Business Summit in Paris and meet fellow companies who have pledged to hire and support refugees in gaining employment.
“Businesses have a critical role to play in helping refugees integrate economically in their new host communities and they have much to contribute but will often struggle to understand the systems and culture in their new country to enable access to meaningful employment. Not only is it the right thing to, supporting refugees also leads to hugely loyal and hardworking employees.”
The moment a refugee gets a job is the moment they stop being a refugee
Thomson’s sentiments were echoed by Hamdi Ulukaya, founder and president of the Tent Partnership for Refugees and CEO and founder of food manufacturer Chobani. He said: “Ukrainian refugee women face many hurdles when finding jobs – from not knowing the local language to having to juggle childcare responsibilities. Businesses must do more to reduce these barriers, and help these incredible, strong, talented people enter the workforce.
“The moment a refugee gets a job is the moment they stop being a refugee. I’m so proud that the companies stepping up today, including Menzies Aviation, will help Ukrainian women and other refugees across Europe stand on their own two feet, giving them a chance to live lives of dignity.”
Image: Tent
