Refugees' Settlement in Greece: Employment in Agriculture as a Criterion for an Alternative Dispersal Plan

Abstract

This paper examines the settlement of refugees in Greece from the perspective of employment in the agricultural sector and suggests an allocation scheme that could contribute to rural revitalization in the country. Since the demographic challenge and rural depopulation are long-term issues to be addressed by the Greek state, the authors argue that fast track vocational training and job matching between refugees and farmers could benefit the refugee population and secure the sustainability of agriculture in Greece. The empirical model offers an alternative approach to the allocation of refugees in Greek mainland, considering for their willingness to work in agriculture and the reactions of the natives toward them. The results confirm that the rich regions with migrant networks and agricultural production can absorb a large share of refugees in periods of crisis. The paper extends the literature on the agriculture-migration nexus in the EUMed with a case of refugee allocation under the lens of labor market integration and rural revitalization.