New industries established by refugees in four nations have given employment to approximately 38,000 persons, it was revealed today in a report submitted to a session of the administrative committee of the World Jewish Congress. The report, embodying the results of a detailed investigation, effectively refutes the contention that refugees are a liability to countries which admit them.
The report disclosed that 15,000 English workers have been removed from the ranks of the unemployed in enterprises established by refugees in Great Britain. Similarly, France has seen 10,000 unemployed obtain jobs in undertakings founded by exiles; Holland, another 10,000 and Belgium 3,000. Smaller nations, such as the Scandinavian and the Baltic states have had similar experiences.
In the majority of cases, the enterprises established by the refugees are of a type never before developed in the respective countries. France, for example, now has a number of companies producing textile articles for export, fur, glassware, artificial flowers and fruit juices. Raw materials from French colonies are used in the production of the goods. Belgian records show that 105 large industrial firms have been established by the refugees. For the most part they are in the metallurgical, chemical and electrical fields. Three hundred enterprises were founded by refugees in Holland.
The committee also heard reports on the present position of Jews in the various European countries of persecution Discussion of these reports was held in camera. Dr. Nahum Goldmann, who presided at the session, reported on his negotiations with various central Jewish organizations interested in relief and emigration work in connection with a plan to convoke a world conference to deal with refugee emigration problems.
A detailed report was submitted to the committee on the immigration possibilities in various countries one year after organization of the Intergovernmental Refugee Committee. The report established that approximately 71,000 refugees were admitted in 1938 to countries in many parts of the world, including 34,000 to the United States.
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