NAVIGATING EMPLOYMENT CHALLENGES: SUSTAINABLE EMPLOYABILITY AND GENDER DISPARITIES AMONG THIRD COUNTRY NATIONALS IN GREECE

This study investigates employer practices and challenges related to the employment of Third Country Nationals (TCNs) in Greece, with a particular focus on sustainable employability and gender-based disparities in the labor market.The data was collected during the project SustainHer, a project that aims to protect and promote access to sustainable employment opportunities for socially and economically vulnerable women, through skill-building and vocational training.While immigrant employment has risen over the last ten years, unemployment rates among foreign-born individuals are higher than those of native-born individuals in four out of five countries, and they are double the rate across the EU.Despite the rise of skills level immigrant occupations finding a skill-adequate job remains a challenge for immigrants and 30% of elementary jobs are held by migrants in the EU, more than 50% in German speaking countries, Cyprus, Norway and Sweden.This study investigates employer practices and challenges related to the employment of Third Country Nationals (TCNs) in Greece, with a particular focus on sustainable employability and gender-based disparities in the labor market.Through empirical research involving 23 Greek employers, following a preliminary survey of 7 respondents, the study examined current employment situations, barriers to employment, and organizational preparedness for TCN integration, while incorporating the gender component in the collected data and analysis.The findings reveal that language barriers (65.22%) and cultural differences (52.17%) constitute the primary challenges in TCN employment.The research identified significant gender-based disparities, with women TCNs disproportionately concentrated in low-skilled positions (73.91% compared to 65.22% for TCNs overall).Women TCNs face additional barriers including prevalent stereotypes and prejudices (52.17%), skill recognition challenges (43.48%), and work-life balance difficulties (39.13%).While 43.48% of employers feel prepared to hire TCNs, significant gaps remain in staff training and legal framework understanding.Financial support (60.87%) and targeted training programs (56.52%) emerged as the most desired support mechanisms for facilitating TCN employment.The study's findings emphasize the need for gender-responsive interventions alongside general support systems, including targeted professional development programs for women TCNs, anti-discrimination measures, and initiatives to facilitate upward mobility from low-skilled positions.These findings suggest that policy interventions should address both general TCN employment barriers and gender-specific challenges to ensure equitable labor market integration in Greece.