EconoMeter panel considers the economic upside of refugee crisis

from San Diego Union Tribune’s EconoMeter panel.

Q: Do the arrival of Syrian refugees in Europe and possibly the U.S. offer an economic upside to the host countries and communities?

Bob’s Answer: NO

Refugees start at a disadvantage and tend to have lower employment rates and are often in lower level jobs than their skills and qualifications might predict. They likely would not have chosen to migrate and often start with the disadvantage of having been traumatized.

They have been “pushed” rather than “pulled” and the host country labor market might not be a good match for them.

Plus, they must be vetted for any terrorism background.

Read more answers here.