Journalist: Apostolos Staikos
Operator/Editor: Simon Chabas

“When you find yourself in a new country, getting a job is incredibly challenging, especially if you don’t speak the language. You are unfamiliar with the process, unsure where to begin, and don’t know who to turn to. Fortunately, METAdrasi’s Stepping Stone programme guided me through it,” says Khawla Nebili.

The 36-year-old woman from Tunisia now works in the laundry and dry cleaning department of the Four Seasons Astir Palace Hotel. She attended a job fair organized by METAdrasi in collaboration with the hotel’s management, where 25 refugees and migrants were involved. Khawla was among those who stood out and secured a position. She has a background in hotel management from her home country and is fluent in Arabic, English, and French.

“In the department where I work, I am responsible for managing the staff’s uniforms. I receive the clothes that need washing, organize the clean ones, and distribute the uniforms to each employee before their shift begins. I also assign new codes for anyone starting to work at the hotel. In this job, I feel respected and secure,” adds Khawla.

METAdrasi’s Stepping Stone Educational Integration programme was launched in 2017 with the support of the Captain Vassilis and Carmen Constantakopoulos Foundation. Today it is implemented in partenership with UNHCR Greece and with the support of the Constantakopoulos Foundation and the Olayan Foundation. METAdrasi’s team offers guidance on CV preparation and helps with obtaining necessary documents. It also provides assistance to the development of job profiles for refugees, organizes training seminars, and facilitates connections with the labour market. To date, more than 4,500 refugees and migrants has received support.

“A friend told me about METAdrasi’s programme, so I visited their office and spoke with the people in charge, who were very supportive, friendly, and encouraging. They informed me about available positions and followed up with me after each job interview, closely monitoring my progress. Due to my background, they informed me about the job fair at Four Seasons Astir Palace. I put in my best effort, and everything worked out well,” says Khawla.

In addition to helping individuals secure employment, the programme also focuses on preparing them for the specific needs of different sectors. So far, more than 550 companies have turned to METAdrasi looking for the right candidates.

“There are many vacancies, and we receive dozens of calls from employers seeking our assistance. This is not limited only to large urban centers. Even smaller local communities like Leros, Chios, Samos, and Kos, which previously showed little interest in hiring refugees and migrants, are now reaching out to us,” explains Evi Papaioannou, Stepping Stone project manager.

Many of the people that reach METAdrasi have valuable skills and knowledge. But they are not familiar with the Greek job market. Without proper support and guidance, they risk exploitation. Stepping Stone ensures they receive thorough and clear information, helping them set realistic expectations and make informed decisions about what suits them best.

“The interviews and recruitment process for refugees and migrants are a chance for us to be more open and broaden our perspectives. We meet individuals from diverse backgrounds and nationalities, who have come to our country looking for a fresh start. I think that they can significantly contribute to our efforts, because they have something different to offer. By entering the hotel industry, they have the opportunity to contribute to the field, develop and build new careers,” says Nikodimos Koulits, People and Culture Manager at the Four Seasons Astir Palace Hotel.

Refugees and migrants are looking for a chance to find a job, get back on their feet and integrate into Greek society.

Khawla arrived in Greece with her husband and their two children in August 2023. When she started looking for work, she faced significant challenges due to language barriers, unfamiliar procedures she had to deal with, and bureaucratic obstacles. With the support of METAdrasi’s Stepping Stone programme, she has made an important step forward and is now hopeful about the future.

“The position I have is a great start for my career and professional life in Greece. Every new beginning has its challenges, but if you believe in your strengths, you can make it. I have the help and guidance of METAdrasi, and I know there are people by my side who will support me if needed. My dream is to make progress and, one day, perhaps become the head of the laundry department or another department at the hotel where I work,” Khawla says with a smile and optimism.