Work & workplace rights

Law No. 159/AN/16/7th L, enacted in accordance with the 1951 Geneva Convention, delineates the essential rights of refugees and asylum seekers, with a specific focus on employment. This statute ensures equal employment opportunities for Djiboutian citizens and legally recognized refugees, thereby differentiating them from other foreign workers.

Decree No. 2017-410/PR/MI outlines the conditions under which refugees are permitted to access employment opportunities. According to this decree, refugees are required to obtain a renewable work permit card, valid for five years, issued by the Ministry of the Interior. Asylum seekers are provided with a distinct certification that facilitates their entry into the labor market.The Djiboutian Labor Code, serving as the comprehensive legal framework for employment relations, enshrines the principle of non-discrimination in employment. It explicitly states that the usual restrictions imposed on foreign workers do not apply to refugees and asylum seekers, in recognition of their unique legal status. This code governs all aspects of employment relationships, including contract provisions and standards for workplace protection.

Concerning worker protections, the Labor Code addresses critical issues such as conditions for termination, related procedural requirements, and the rights of employees in dispute scenarios. These regulations are applied both de jure and de facto to refugees and asylum seekers, affording them protections equivalent to those available to Djiboutian nationals.

Furthermore, the code strictly prohibits practices such as forced labor and human trafficking, in alignment with international norms. These prohibitions extend comprehensive protections to refugees, ensuring their safety and upholding their dignity within the workplace.Institutions such as ANEFIP (National Agency for Employment Promotion and Vocational Training) and the Center for Leadership and Entrepreneurship play a crucial role in supporting employment and entrepreneurial initiatives for refugees and asylum seekers, complementing the legal framework and promoting their integration into the Djiboutian workforce.