Starbucks pledges to hire 10,000 refugees over 5 years

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Coffee giant, Starbucks announced it will hire 10,000 refugees over the next five years across 75 countries. Chairman and CEO, Howard Schultz, sent a letter to employees on Sunday following President Trump’s executive order to bar entry of refugees from several predominantly Muslim countries.

Dear partners,

I write to you today with deep concern, a heavy heart and a resolute promise. Let me begin with the news that is immediately in front of us: we have all been witness to the confusion, surprise and opposition to the Executive Order that President Trump issued on Friday, effectively banning people from several predominantly Muslim countries from entering the United States, including refugees fleeing wars. I can assure you that our Partner Resources team has been in direct contact with the partners who are impacted by this immigration ban, and we are doing everything possible to support and help them to navigate through this confusing period.

We are living in an unprecedented time, one in which we are witness to the conscience of our country, and the promise of the American Dream, being called into question. These uncertain times call for different measures and communication tools than we have used in the past. Kevin and I are going to accelerate our commitment to communicating with you more frequently, including leveraging new technology platforms moving forward.  I am hearing the alarm you all are sounding that the civility and human rights we have all taken for granted for so long are under attack, and want to use a faster, more immediate form of communication to engage with you on matters that concern us all as partners.

Read the full letter here: Starbucks chairman and CEO’s message to employees

On Monday morning, people against the move used the hashtag #BoycottStarbucks on Twitter.