Immigrant workers in Sweden face constant job instability, study finds

Background Integration of immigrants on the labour market is a pressing issue in most Western countries. However, while previous research has focused on immigrants getting their first job, less attention has been paid to the sustainability of immigrants’ labour market participation over time. Objective The aim of the study was to explore first-generation immigrants’ experiences of entering and maintaining employment in the Swedish labour market in a sustainable way. Methods Data was collected through individual semi-structured interviews with 18 non-European immigrants who lived in Sweden between 4 to38 years and who had experienced periods of work and unemployment. The education level of participants varied from four years of primary school to university degree. Interviews were analysed with thematic analysis applying an inductive approach. Results Participants’ employment situations were characterised by persistent employment instability which had both practical and emotional consequences. In the process of establishing themselves in the labour market, participants had to navigate between personal aspirations, needs and contextual constraints, as well as struggle with feelings of frustration. Social support, both in the workplace and outside, was crucial in coping with the situation. The desire for a meaningful belonging to a workplace emerged as an important theme in the interviews. Conclusion Persistent employment instability challenged immigrants’ professional identity, well-being and agency. To deal with this, support measures need to be flexible and provided both during periods of unemployment and while employed. Moreover, the role of the workplace in supporting immigrants’ sustainable labour market participation need to be strengthened.