MAGNET II project. Joint approach in the field of job placement for Iraqi returnees

Built upon the success of the MAGNET pilot phase (January 2012 - June 2013), MAGNET II aimed at strengthening the link between local authorities, private sector representatives and returnees to the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI) to contribute to their reintegration by facilitating information and access to existing job opportunities.

More than 2,800 Iraqi nationals were counselled under MAGNET II before departure in the 8 participating EU Member States, and 276 returnees were counselled upon return in the KRI.

MAGNET II participated to strengthening the coordination between participating EU Member States with regards to pre-departure information, job placement and training assistance for migrants returning to the KRI, allowing returnees to better access the job market.

Four groups of activities were implemented:

1. Provision of pre-departure information of the job-placement assistance to potential returnees, on the socio-economic context of the KRI and on concrete job and training opportunities through the development of various information materials.
2. Strengthening the links with the private sector in the KRI in order to facilitate the job referrals of returnees and to increase the number of job offers made available, by reinforcing and expanding the pool of partnering enterprises.
3. Strengthening the links with local authorities in the KRI in order to encourage increased ownership of job placement as a method of promoting the long-term socioeconomic reintegration of returnees through the organisation of follow-up workshops in each governorate, and the organisation of a study visit to participating EU MS.
4. Post-arrival counselling and referral to assist returnees once back to the KRI through referral to training facilities and/or potential employers based on the identified needs of the private sector and skills and experience of the returnees.