The Meaning of Work for Venezuelan Refugees in Brazil: Job Crafting as a Strategy for Inclusion and Professional Development

Abstract

The inclusion of refugees in the formal labor markets of host countries has been recognized as a sustainable solution to forced migration. In Brazil, due to the growing number of refugees, it is urgent to look at the difficulties faced by this population and develop strategies for their socio-economic inclusion. This study proposes a reflection on the meaning of decent work for refugees, considering their own perspectives, with the aim of offering a broader understanding of their desires and needs in the labor sphere. A survey was applied to 78 Venezuelan refugees in the northern region of Brazil. The data were analyzed using Jamovi software (Version 2.3.28), including descriptive and inferential statistics. Among the findings were the expectation of opportunities that value the skills of refugees. Difficulties due to cultural adaptation in organizations and a lack of professional recognition were pointed out. Job crafting proved to be a promising strategy for positively shaping work.

1. Introduction

Promoting decent working conditions, avoiding precariousness and poor working conditions for workers, is an important condition for the subjective enrichment of the human condition (Alberti and Però 2018). As part of one of the sustainable development goals, decent work entails providing workers with minimum conditions, with respect, ethics, and fostering their employability (Boucher and Gördemann 2021). Promoting decent work is essential, even more so when considering the reality of refugees (Delgado Wise 2022). Refugees need minimum conditions to work (Deshingkar 2019), from supportive laws to appropriate training. Refugees do not speak the language of the country where they sought refuge, and will compete with the native workforce of that country. Conditions are unequal, as various stigmas and stereotypes surround the refugee’s reality.

To protect labour rights and promote safe and secure working environments for all workers, including migrant workers (Rai et al. 2019). Research agendas recommend studying refugees’ access to decent working conditions (Cequea et al. 2024; Han et al. 2022; Triandafyllidou 2022). Refugees are often subjected to undignified working conditions, as they are considered cheap and unskilled labor (Haas 2021). This workforce needs to be qualified. Do refugees have equal access to work, or is there a lack of support for initiatives to promote labor equality? Promoting decent working conditions involves providing opportunities for refugees, training them, and assisting them in their adaptation to their new country (Schmitt et al. 2023).

According to data from the Observatory of International Migration (OBMigra), linked to the Brazilian Ministry of Justice and Public Security, in 2023, Brazil received a total of 58,628 applications for recognition of refugee status. Of these applications, just over half (50.3%) were submitted by people of Venezuelan nationality (Junger da Silva et al. 2024).

In terms of analyzing the applications processed that same year, the National Committee for Refugees (Conare) examined 112,644 applications from Venezuelans. Most of these applications were registered in the North, especially in the state of Roraima, highlighting the strategic importance of this location in the country’s current refugee dynamics (Junger da Silva et al. 2024).

In Brazil, we have the Law No. 9.474/1997, which defines national parameters and establishes rights and legal guarantees for refugees, especially in promoting quality of life and opportunities in the job market. This law reinforces the existence of support and assistance policies for refugees, demonstrating that Brazil is very receptive to refugees, especially those from Latin America.

Concerning granting decisions, Venezuelans accounted for 97.6% of the applications accepted by Conare in 2023 (Junger da Silva et al. 2024). The same profile of Venezuelan refugees to Peru was described by Cequea et al. (2024). In view of this and given the constitutional provisions protecting the dignity of the human person, understanding the inclusion of these refugees in society and in productive life, with their reintegration into the labor market, and considering the Venezuelan humanitarian crisis, is urgent (Weitzman and Huss 2024).

The refugee issue is a global concern, and Brazil has played a significant role in providing shelter and opportunities for this vulnerable population (Araújo and Barros 2024). In many countries in the region, domestic legislation on refugees has historically been limited to defining the body responsible for protecting these people and establishing the procedures for recognizing refugee status. However, Brazil has more comprehensive legislation, which includes the implementation of public policies aimed at caring for, protecting, and finding lasting solutions for refugees (Brazil 1997). Despite these advances, the full social reintegration and reconstruction of these people’s lives depend decisively on access to decent work opportunities, an essential condition for their autonomy and dignity.

In a broader context, it is essential to understand the importance of decent work for refugees. By providing employment opportunities that are dignified, safe, and fair, it is possible to promote their autonomy, socio-economic integration, and self-esteem. Furthermore, by allowing expatriates to contribute to the local economy, decent work not only benefits them individually but also strengthens society. From this perspective, this study aims to investigate the following question: what is the meaning of decent work for Venezuelan refugees in Brazil?

As Silva et al. (2022) and Wickramasekara (2009) point out, for refugees to have a dignified life, certain attributes are indispensable, such as non-discrimination, the right to housing, health, food, and decent work, among others. About the latter, the authors point out that difficulties in accessing decent work delay social ascension and access to other fundamental rights.

In this context, it is essential to establish the specific and historical panorama of the issue of decent work for refugees in Brazil, especially given the increase in the number of immigrants in the country and the policies and practices currently in force. This approach provides a more in-depth understanding of the barriers faced by refugees in accessing decent working conditions, as well as helping to identify solutions to overcome these obstacles.

Unlike previous studies, which have focused on international experiences or broader analyses of migration, this article focuses specifically on the Brazilian context, with an emphasis on the reality of Venezuelan refugees. It is essential to understand the particularities of Brazil and the specific approaches needed to address local challenges. In addition, it seeks to propose appropriate strategies to promote the inclusion of these refugees in the labor market, ensuring their dignity and socio-economic integration.

The general aim of this article is to analyze the meaning of decent work for Venezuelan refugees, considering the perspective of the refugees themselves. The specific objectives are to identify the difficulties faced by this population in entering the Brazilian labor market and to see if job crafting has any influence on this process.

Understanding this perspective highlights the relevance of this study, as it provides a more comprehensive view of the needs and aspirations of this population in relation to work. By exploring refugees’ perceptions of decent work, it will be possible to develop more effective strategies to promote their socio-economic inclusion and contribute to their re-signification and reconstruction of life.

This article is organized as follows: the first section presents the theoretical framework on decent work, job crafting, and the meaning of work, respectively; then the research method is described, followed by the results and discussion of the data collected. Finally, the last section presents the conclusion of this work. This work aims to fulfill the research agenda of Cequea et al. (2024), Chaves-Gonzalez et al. (2021), and Schmitt et al. (2023), investigating the access of immigrants, in this case, refugees, to the labor market, reducing precariousness, and increasing their chances of adaptation in the current scenario of a responsible and sustainable economy.

2. Theoretical Framework

2.1. Decent Work

The concept of decent work originated at the 87th meeting of the International Labor Conference in 1999. Faced with the need to renew its action in the context of economic changes and their consequent influence on labor relations, the International Labor Organization (ILO) defined decent work as a priority theme. Its achievement, in harmony, encompasses four strategic objectives: the promotion of fundamental labor rights and principles, the creation of new quality jobs, social protection, and social dialogue.

The Brazilian legal system also contains principles whose observance is capable of curbing practices that undermine social and labor rights. Examples include the principles of human dignity and the social value of work. As Araújo and Gil (2020) explain, it is necessary to start from the premise that work should be something positive and, when it is not, human dignity should take precedence, since individuals cannot have their fundamental rights sacrificed in favor of economic interests.

In this sense, the work valued by the constitution is decent work, which cannot be reduced to activity regulated by an employment contract. This expansion is necessary in view of the significant number of Brazilian workers in the informal market, earning money from work in inadequate conditions, which can reduce both the worker’s working time and life (Araújo and Gil 2020).

From this perspective, the fight against inequality and the search for more dignified and inclusive forms of work depend on a social commitment aimed at promoting decent work and guaranteeing an adequate income (Duarte et al. 2020). Thus, the possibility of putting effective and systematic actions into practice lies in public policies aimed at the issue of job insecurity and workers’ health.

Duarte et al. (2020) emphasize that the identification of vulnerable people and groups, in a territorial approach, with records of cultural, ethnic-racial, gender, and social specificities and singularities, also offers greater chances of success in the analyses carried out. When, for example, the occupational history of individuals is examined, it is possible to establish the causal link between the health problem and the activity carried out with greater precision. Likewise, research into the relationship between possible illnesses and the type of professional activity contributes to a more complete and well-founded assessment, providing important input for the adoption of preventive and corrective measures.

Regarding the right to decent work for refugees, Frainer et al. (2024) advocate the consolidation of a more robust legal framework in host countries in order to guarantee adequate legal protection for this population. Clearly defining the responsibilities of states is fundamental to ensuring decent working conditions, combating exploitation, and reducing the social vulnerability of these individuals. The difficulties faced by refugees in the labor market often reflect the impacts of coercive pre-migration contexts, which expose them to situations of underemployment, precariousness, and discrimination.

2.2. Job Crafting

Job crafting is an informal process in which workers shape their own work in order to achieve greater alignment with their interests and values (Branco 2019). It is a practice often used to increase job satisfaction and well-being (Wrzesniewski and Dutton 2001).

According to the model presented by Wrzesniewski and Dutton (2001), three levels appear as possible behaviors that characterize job crafting: (1) active changes in tasks, when the physical or temporal limits of tasks are altered, considering their quantity and nature, with manipulation of the effort employed and the time spent performing them; (2) relational, whose focus is on altering the nature of the relationships established at work, the extent of interactions, with adjustments or creation of new relationships in the work environment. At this level, workers can, for example, choose to spend more time with colleagues with similar interests and, on the other hand, avoid certain relationships; (3) cognitive, with changes in the way the individual sees their work, their personal conception of meaning, and the identity they develop with their work. This is a change that involves a new way of interpreting the tasks performed and relationships in the workplace. As an example, the authors Wrzesniewski and Dutton (2001) cite the perception of hospital cleaners when viewing their role from the perspective of essentiality for patient recovery.

By making changes at different levels, workers tend to achieve a new alignment with the organizational identity. This process is also often recognized positively by the leadership and the organization itself, which come to value the adjustments made by employees in search of greater meaning and engagement at work.

As for the conditions that motivate job crafting, Van Wingerden et al. (2017) highlight life experience and work characteristics. In this sense, Wrzesniewski and Dutton (2001) define work itself as a construction of workers based on their own life experiences. Its meaning and identity are not exclusively determined by the formal requirements of the job, since the worker himself autonomously and proactively changes his role or the boundaries of the relationship he establishes with work.

From this perspective, Bakker et al. (2012) state that, as it is a proactive behavior, focused on how workers perceive their work environments and act according to their preferences, values, and capabilities, it is expected that job crafting is conceptually related to the constructs “personal initiative” and “proactive personality”. Thus, job crafting is driven more by employees than by the company (Grant and Ashford 2008), as they are not just passive recipients of their work environments.

According to Berg et al. (2010), job crafting translates the individual’s actions into reframing their roles in such a way that they can nurture satisfaction, engagement, resilience, and prosperity through their work activities. This process is especially relevant in the case of vulnerable workers, as it can make a significant contribution to increasing their access to decent work. Through interventions aimed at adapting functions, these individuals can adjust their tasks to better match their abilities and limitations. Such an adjustment favors not only an increased sense of purpose at work but also the strengthening of career adaptability, an aspect highlighted by Svicher and Di Fabio (2021) as essential for the inclusion and professional development of vulnerable populations.

2.3. Meaning of Work

The study of the meaning of work is widely explored by various disciplines from multiple theoretical points of view. Researchers from the Meaning of Work International Reseach Team (MOW), a group that has been studying the subject since the 1970s, defined the meaning of work as a multidimensional and dynamic psychological construct, made up of the interaction between personal and environmental variables, under the influence of changes undergone by the individual, around them or at work (Morin et al. 2007).

According to Morin et al. (2007), work should be analyzed based on the following dimensions: (1) significance (the value, centrality or representation of work for the person); (2) orientation (what the individual seeks to achieve through work) and; (3) coherence (level of adherence, connection and balance between oneself and one’s work). Based on the researcher’s studies, it is possible to distinguish between personal conceptions and collective constructions. From this perspective, the meaning of work would be the individual apprehension of collective meanings, while the meaning of work would be the collective construction at a given historical, economic, and social moment (Tolfo et al. 2011).

For Pratt and Ashforth (2003), the meaning of work can be conceived individually, based on a person’s own perceptions, and socially, based on shared norms or perceptions, or both. Thus, the relational nature of work experiences and their context are fundamental to the process by which the meaning of work is created or destroyed (Wrzesniewski et al. 2003).

From a sociological perspective, Antunes (1994) points out that a meaningful life at work is equally important in the presence of a purposeful life in an environment other than work, so that a life that has no meaning at work also corresponds to a lack of meaning in life in other places where the subject lives. We, therefore, understand that the meaning of work, in addition to its social and economic dimensions, has come to encompass a psychosocial dimension. In this sense, people also see their identity in terms of the value they attach to their work. In the words of Morin et al. (2007), “people’s very identity is often confused with their work”.

As for the association between the meaning of work and the concept of human dignity, Richetti (2022) argues that work is an essential part of any life project. It is through work that individuals build themselves up, acquire knowledge, and develop the capacity to become self-sufficient. According to the author, the dignity of the human person is the result of human action aimed at the natural project of self-construction, which makes work an indispensable element in this process of personal formation. In this way, work is not just an economic necessity, but a fundamental condition for human fulfillment as a person. From this perspective, work, in its essence, is no longer seen as something painful, and this characteristic is attributed exclusively to the social conditions in which it is carried out.

In the working context of migrants, as shown in the study by Comin and Pauli (2018), the process of assigning meaning to work and the consequent adaptation to the professional environment are strongly linked to wider social integration. This adaptation involves not only learning new functions or acquiring skills but also seeking socialization in the new environment in which they find themselves. The way migrants perceive the work context is influenced both by the instrumental dimension, related to the material and functional aspects of work, and by the subjective meaning attributed to the work experience.

This subjective meaning emerges from the social interactions established in the workplace and the way migrants relate to their new community. These findings reinforce the understanding that work, as well as a means of subsistence, takes on a moral and symbolic role in society, being associated with social recognition and appreciation. Thus, work can be seen as an indicator of the living conditions and precariousness or dignity experienced by migrants.

3. Research Methods

This exploratory and descriptive study was conducted with Venezuelan refugees who had migrated to the city of Boa Vista, capital of the state of Roraima in Brazil. Data were collected in person in March 2020. This is a quantitative, cross-sectional study carried out using a structured survey. The language used during the application of the research instrument was Portuguese. As most refugees had difficulty understanding the items, the authors read them aloud and provided explanations at the time of application.

Data was collected by means of anamnesis announcements, with a total of 78 participants. The questionnaire had 13 items, which were associated with a Likert-type scale, from 1 (totally disagree) to 5 (totally agree). The closer to 1, the greater the disagreement with the item’s statement and the closer to 5, the greater the agreement with the item.

We used part of the survey questionnaire developed and validated by Torres et al. (2021). We adapted the items to the reality of Venezuelans in Brazil. The items addressed the professional experiences Venezuelans had already had in Brazil, their positive and negative perceptions, the difficulties encountered, and the meaning attributed to work. Furthermore, the items addressed subjective experiences regarding stereotypes, professional qualifications, and anxieties and fears associated with the new life.

In addition, a study of documents related to the research context was carried out. This investigation sought to understand the regulatory, historical or any other aspect that was relevant to understanding the object of study.

The sample was selected on a non-probabilistic basis, considering accessibility criteria. Participants were invited to answer the questionnaire voluntarily, which was administered in person. It is worth noting that this characterization was based on the participants who were available and willing to take part in the research and is not representative of the entire population. Regarding the characterization of the sample, 68% of the participants are male and 32% are female. Furthermore, the average length of stay of the refugees in Brazil is six months. With respect to education, the majority have completed high school, accounting for approximately 88%.

Regarding ethical issues, the study was carried out with care in all phases of the research, observing the proper limits and correct use of the chosen method. Confidentiality was respected to avoid harm to respondents and the institution. Thus, information that could cause any embarrassment was removed or renamed.

The data was analyzed using the Jamovi Statistical Package. Initially, the distribution of frequencies was analyzed to understand the distribution of quantitative data. Next, to obtain an overview of the most relevant patterns and trends in the participants’ responses, a descriptive statistical analysis was carried out. Means, standard deviations, and coefficients of variation were calculated, with the aim of understanding refugees’ perceptions of their integration into the labor market in Brazil. Jamovi (Version 2.3.28) was the statistical software chosen because it is recognized as a tool with a wide range of functionalities for simultaneous analysis and management of large amounts of data (Baron 2020).

4. Research Findings and Analysis

The descriptive analysis of the data shown in

Table 1. Degree of agreement on the meaning of work for refugees.

	Item	M	SD	CV
1	The qualifications of the refugees, which were acquired before arriving in Brazil, are valued by Brazilian organizations.	3.09	1.23	0.40
2	I had difficulties, or I am having difficulties, to find work in Brazil.	3.67	1.33	0.36
3	In Brazil, I had or am having professional qualification opportunities.	3.10	1.39	0.44
4	I think I have the necessary qualifications to get a job here in Brazil.	4.03	1.05	0.26
5	For refugees living in Brazil, obtaining professional recognition is very difficult.	3.76	1.16	0.30
6	The refugees I know get informal work without a formal license.	3.42	1.15	0.33
7	Brazilian organizations should facilitate the integration of refugees into the labor market.	4.07	0.98	0.24
8	It is much harder for a refugee to get a formal job than for a Brazilian.	3.94	1.26	0.31
9	I have already been excluded from a job opportunity because I did not have enough knowledge of the Portuguese language.	2.92	1.58	0.54
10	Working is important to me.	4.59	1.01	0.22
11	My difficulty in working here in Brazil is due to the absence of public policies of job search for refugees.	3.40	1.43	0.42
12	I have a job, with a formal employment contract, in Brazil.	1.81	1.22	0.67
13	I felt hopeful about the future	4.32	1.24	0.28

highlights important aspects of the refugees’ perception of the meaning of work. We chose to use descriptive statistics due to the small sample size. The means (M) indicate the degree of agreement with each statement, while the standard deviation (SD) and coefficient of variation (CV) indicate the dispersion and consistency of the answers.

The item with the highest average was the importance of work for the respondents (M = 4.59). Work is one of the main factors that promote human dignity. Workers fulfill their subjectivity while working, in addition to providing financial support for their families (Faria et al. 2021; Frainer et al. 2024; Grant and Ashford 2008). Work can strengthen the cultural, social, and economic bond between refugees and their new country, fostering a sense of belonging and a renewed sense of purpose in life (Han et al. 2022). A refugee welcome policy is essential in the search for new job opportunities (OIT 1999).

According to Law No. 9.474/1997, which defines mechanisms for implementing the Refugee Statute in Brazil, refugee status is attributed to people who leave their country of origin for fear of persecution related to factors such as religion, race, nationality, civil wars, and serious human rights violations (Brazil 1997). When they arrive in the host country, these individuals look for ways to ensure their survival, with work being one of the main ways of making a living and rebuilding their lives in a new territory (Morin et al. 2007).

In addition to the aforementioned item (10), item 13 “I felt hopeful about the future” (M = 4.32; CV = 0.28) had a high average, showing strong agreement among the participants with maintaining an optimistic view of the future. Work can foster a vision for the future in refugees. Providing decent working conditions for refugees helps them build a new personal and professional identity, enabling them to fulfill their aspirations and reestablish themselves in life (Araújo and Gil 2020; Cerqueira Campos et al. 2023). The low coefficient of variation for this item indicates less dispersion in the answers, suggesting that the interviewees have more homogeneous perceptions on this aspect.

In relation to refugees’ qualifications and those they need, items such as 3 “In Brazil, I had or am having professional qualification opportunities.” (M = 3.10; CV = 0.44) and 1 “The qualifications of the refugees, which were acquired before arriving in Brazil, are valued by Brazilian organizations.” (M = 3.09; CV = 0.40) had means closer to the midpoint of the scale, with moderate coefficients of variation, which suggests divided opinions about qualification opportunities and professional recognition.

The results suggest, according to the opinion of the 78 participants in this survey, that Brazilian authorities need to promote more training and courses aimed at professionally qualifying refugees. When well-trained, refugees will not need to submit to degrading conditions to access pay and will be able to select better opportunities based on their professional skills (Schmitt et al. 2023). The better trained, the better employment and work opportunities will emerge (Syed and Özbilgin 2009). It is essential that Brazil invest significantly more in the training and development of refugees seeking help and shelter in the country.

Regarding the difficulties faced in finding formal employment, items 7 “Brazilian organizations should facilitate the integration of refugees into the labor market.” (M = 4.07; CV = 0.24) and 8 “It is much harder for a refugee to get a formal job than for a Brazilian.” (M = 3.94; CV = 0.31) had high means and relatively low coefficients of variation. This demonstrates a consensus among refugees on the need for support policies and recognition of the additional barriers they face in accessing formal employment in the Brazilian labor market. It is essential that barriers, such as language proficiency, for example, be overcome in building a social culture of reciprocity for refugees, providing them with good humanitarian, social, and economic living conditions (Triandafyllidou 2022).

Statement 12 “I have a job, with a formal employment contract, in Brazil.” had the lowest average (M = 1.81) among the items analyzed. This result indicates a low proportion of refugees with a formal employment contract, but also a wide dispersion in the answers (CV = 0.67). This is a very worrying result. Not having formal employment can mean that refugees will not have access to their rights as workers, as discussed by Alberti and Però (2018) and Silva et al. (2022). It is essential that the Brazilian Public Ministry of Labor and other responsible institutions monitor workers in conditions analogous to slavery and underemployment. Monitoring and oversight must be constant, preventing refugees from being subjected to degrading working conditions. Practical actions are more important than mere political rhetoric, as discussed by Wickramasekara (2009).

In addition to the refugees’ individual characteristics, external factors play a decisive role in shaping their professional trajectories. The level of recognition and support offered by institutions, such as government bodies and professional organizations, positively influence the professional identity of these workers (Van Wingerden et al. 2017), fostering a feeling of appreciation and belonging to the new host environment (Cerqueira Campos et al. 2023).

In general, the items with the highest averages shown in Table 1 tend to have a lower coefficient of variation, revealing greater uniformity in positive perceptions. On the other hand, the items with lower averages, especially those related to formalization in the job market, showed greater dispersion, which reinforces the unequal experiences of the participants.

Pearson’s correlation coefficient was used to analyze the degree of linear correlation between the variables. The results generally indicated positive correlations, but of low magnitude. This suggests that although there is a tendency for the variables to be associated, the strength of these relationships is limited.

An example of a moderate correlation was observed between items 9 (“I have already been excluded from a job opportunity because I did not have enough knowledge of the Portuguese language.”) and 11 (“My difficulty in working here in Brazil is due to the absence of public policies of job search for refugees.”), with a coefficient of r = 0.419 **, indicating a direct relationship of moderate intensity between language difficulties and the perceived lack of public policies for labor inclusion.

Another example, this time representing a positive but weak correlation, was identified between items 9 (“I have already been excluded from a job opportunity because I did not have enough knowledge of the Portuguese language.”) and 4 (“I think I have the necessary qualifications to get a job here in Brazil.”), with r = 0.371**. This result indicates that although refugees consider themselves qualified, the language barrier remains a limiting factor for access to the job market.

The results showed the barriers faced in the search for decent and inclusive jobs (Svicher and Di Fabio 2021). Among the most significant findings was the high average rating given to the importance of work in their lives, reinforcing that, for this population, work represents not only a means of subsistence, but also a concrete possibility of a fresh start. This result is in line with the theoretical approaches of the MOW—Meaning of Working International Research Team, which define the meaning of work as a space for self-realization, satisfaction, personal and professional development, as well as being a means that provides freedom and autonomy in carrying out tasks (MOW International Research Team 1987).

Understanding the meaning of work, according to Wrzesniewski and Dutton (2001) and Richetti (2022), proved to be a fundamental theoretical perspective for understanding decent work for refugees. The data collected pointed to the representation of work as a pillar of psychological security for Venezuelan refugees, as it meets not only material needs, but also emotional, social and identity aspects that are fundamental for rebuilding life after forced displacement to Brazil.

From this perspective, job crafting has emerged as a promising strategy (Wrzesniewski et al. 2003), allowing refugees to adjust and redefine their work activities according to their interests, values, and personal goals. This process favors the construction of meaning at work, as well as contributing to increased satisfaction and well-being.

5. Conclusions, Limitations and Recommendations

The aim of this study was to analyze the meaning of decent work from the perspective of 78 Venezuelan refugees in Brazil. During the research, their perceptions on the subject were explored, as well as the main challenges and opportunities related to entering the Brazilian labor market. To this end, a survey was conducted using a research instrument adapted from Torres et al. (2021), focusing on identifying psychological and subjective factors associated with work in Brazil.

The questionnaire contained 13 items addressing professional integration into the Brazilian labor market, difficulties experienced, the meaning attributed to work, and other theoretical dimensions related to the subjective work experiences of refugees. Descriptive statistical techniques were used to analyze and interpret the results due to the small sample size.

The results indicate positive experiences regarding integration into the Brazilian job market, although the lack of regulation of refugee rights, in their perception, is a serious problem that must be addressed by Brazilian authorities. The meaning attributed to work by refugees is high, generating a significant impact on their mental health and quality of life. Having access to decent pay brings a sense of relief and comfort, in addition to the joy that their professional capabilities are being fully utilized. The results also suggest the need to promote professional qualification and diversification initiatives, in addition to offering specific courses aimed at acquiring and fully mastering the Portuguese language.

In the specific context of Venezuelan refugees, this approach proved to be particularly relevant, demonstrating that they can mobilize their skills, previous experiences, and cultural background as resources to give new meaning to their work and find satisfaction, even in the face of adverse conditions. These results are in line with the evidence pointed out by Svicher and Di Fabio (2021), who highlight the potential of job crafting to favor adaptation and engagement in scenarios of vulnerability.

The study also highlighted significant challenges faced by refugees, especially regarding professional recognition, qualification requirements, cultural acceptance, and institutional barriers, all of which limit access to decent work opportunities. These difficulties reinforce the urgent need for more effective support through public policies and institutional actions. Among the recommended strategies are the reduction in legal obstacles to the revalidation of foreign degrees, the recognition of previously acquired experiences and skills, the provision of language training and the implementation of programs aimed at promoting diversity and inclusion in the organizational environment. These measures could increase the possibilities for refugees to formally enter the Brazilian labor market.

In this context, the issue addressed is complex and dynamic, requiring a continuous and attentive look at the social and political transformations that impact the lives of refugees. Further research is needed to deepen our understanding of the challenges faced by this population, as well as to identify and expand the opportunities that favor the re-signification and reconstruction of their life trajectories. Among the fields of study that deserve more attention are comparative analyses between different countries and cultural contexts, with the aim of understanding how refugees’ perceptions and experiences of decent work vary. Such research can help identify successful practices adopted internationally and their possible applications in strengthening policies and actions that promote the effective inclusion of this population in labor markets.

It should be noted that this research has some limitations, such as the size of the sample, which may restrict the generalization of the results. Future studies could seek a larger sample and use a mixed approach, combining qualitative and quantitative methods to obtain a more comprehensive and representative understanding of the topic. Another important gap to be addressed is the lack of longitudinal research that follows refugees over time, allowing for a more in-depth analysis of changes in perceptions and experiences of decent work throughout the integration process.

Despite these limitations, the findings provide valuable insights that can inform the development of public policies and support programs aimed at promoting the inclusion of refugees in the labor market. These results, particularly when considered alongside qualitative research and other empirical evidence, can help governments, non-governmental organizations, and international agencies design strategies that are more targeted, effective, and responsive to the specific needs and challenges faced by refugees. From an academic perspective, this study emphasizes the importance of incorporating the perspectives of the participants and promoting a participatory approach in research related to decent work and job crafting.