Local councils are worried that up to 90% of newly recognised refugees will not be able to find work, according to research involving 200 municipalities.

Six out of 10 need to undergo training and be actively encouraged to find a job and three in 10 have no chance of a job at all, the councils have told a government-backed advisory group KIS which studies integration issues.

Local councils are allocated recognised refugees depending on the size of their populations. The aim is to spread refugees throughout the country but it also means many are sent to places where there are no jobs, broadcaster NOS points out.

Local authorities are required by law to help all jobless people within their boundaries find work. But two-thirds told KIS they do not have enough suitable jobs in their locality for refugees.

National statistics office CBS said in May some 75% of the Syrian refugees who have been given residency permits over the past three years are claiming welfare benefits because they have not yet found work.