In June, ISS, a leading global workplace experience and facility management company, announced its commitment to hire 1,000 refugees across its European operations. The announcement took place at Tent Partnership for Refugee’s European Business Summit in Paris and builds upon ISS’s ongoing commitment to hire, train and upskill immigrants and refugees.
Europe faces its largest refugee crisis since World War II, including 5 million refugees, mainly women, from Ukraine. Against this gloomy background, ISS has pledged to hire 1,000 refugees, including Ukrainian women, across its European business over the next three years. As part of this commitment, ISS will provide training, upskilling and development opportunities to the refugees, empowering them to not only become employees of ISS but also valued citizens in the societies where they are residing.
ISS joins dozens of large employers, and some of the best-known brands across Europe, including Amazon, Marriott International and Microsoft, in pledging to provide jobs and training to more than 250,000 refugees across Europe over the next three years. Collectively, this marks the most significant set of business commitments ever made to advance the economic integration of refugees.
Jacob Aarup-Andersen, Group CEO of ISS A/S and co-host of the Summit said: “Every action counts. Every individual, every company, and every organisation has the power to make a difference. However, with the severe humanitarian crises we are facing, we must collectively accelerate our social efforts to create lasting change for the benefit of people and society. ISS has a more than 120-year legacy as a people company, and we have always had a strong drive to make a true difference for people and societies. I strongly believe that by joining forces and unleashing the power of unity, we can ignite a movement that shapes a better future for all. I’m truly excited about all the commitments announced today.”
ISS’s commitment builds upon its recent pledges and efforts to support, hire and integrate refugees into its workforce and the societies in which ISS operate.
Last year, with Tent, ISS committed to hiring 1,000 refugees in North America by 2025. ISS also signed up for Tent’s Sunflower Project, committing to hire, train and mentor Ukrainian refugees in Poland and Spain.
Commenting on the Tent Sunflower Project activities in Poland, Blanka Borkowska, People & Culture Director at ISS Poland, said:
“Together with the partners of the Tent Sunflower Project programme, we are building a better future for Ukrainian refugee women in the Polish labour market, amid the extraordinary challenges they have faced. Currently, six of our leaders are involved in an inspiring mentoring programme, where we offer valuable mentoring support and practical help in everyday life. Participants are also offered employment within ISS structures. In addition, we actively participate in job fairs, supporting the professional development of Ukrainian refugee women. Together with them, we discover new perspectives and open doors to success and self-fulfilment.”
ISS has also entered a new partnership with the ‘All 4 Youth Alliance’ led by Nestlé on a programme called HONOUR – aimed at training, skilling and providing job opportunities for young Ukrainian refugees in Poland and Germany. During the past year, ISS has hired more than 550 refugees in Europe alone.
Tent is a global network of more than 300 companies committed to supporting the economic integration of refugees.
Hamdi Ulukaya, founder and President of the Tent Partnership for Refugees and CEO and founder of Chobani, 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 ISS, will help Ukrainian women and other refugees across Europe stand on their own two feet, giving them a chance to live lives of dignity.”
