Brooklyn businesses would be eager to hire migrant workers, survey indicates

BROOKLYN, N.Y. (PIX11) — According to a recent survey by the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce, migrants and asylum seekers could be a potential solution for small businesses in the borough struggling to find workers.

Randy Peers, the president of the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce, said that providing work authorization and connecting asylum seekers to job opportunities can mutually benefit the migrants as well as businesses. It’s a win-win, he explained.

The survey reveals that 70% of borough businesses back a faster path to work authorization for asylum seekers, indicating a willingness to tap into this potential workforce.

“Here’s an opportunity, particularly in the restaurant industry and the construction industry and other service industries where there’s a potential workforce that wants to work,” Peers explained. “They come here to work. And if we can just get them that work authorization and then connect them to the opportunities.”

The survey also found that 75% of respondents said the influx of asylum seekers has not affected their business operations. Peers acknowledged that businesses may face challenges, such as identifying eligible workers, language barriers, and skills training, but he said they are willing and able to provide on-the-job training.

“I think this is a really good opportunity for us to tap into a work pool, a labor pool that’s willing and able to work. If we can just get them those authorizations, I think our small businesses in particular can really benefit significantly,” Peers said.

The survey also found that inflation and retail theft surpass public safety among owners’ concerns. However, the majority of businesses, 56%, are optimistic and expect their performance to improve in the upcoming year.

“That’s good news for us, and we’ll do everything that we can to make sure it actually happens that way,” Peers said.

Overall, the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce survey suggests that migrant asylum seekers could offer a potential solution to the workforce challenges faced by small businesses in the borough. By providing work authorization and connecting these individuals to job opportunities, both the migrants and the businesses can benefit.