Why? Ethnic Minorities Flashcards
Unemployment
Howard’s study found that all ethnic minority groups have above average unemployment rates. In 2013 over 50% of young black males were out of work. Bangladeshi men in particular suffer from labour market disadvantages (poor skills and qualifications, racial discrimination) which lead to high rates of unemployment (40%).
Ethnic minority women also have above average unemployment rates. Bangladeshi and Pakistani women face religious and cultural barriers to work. Eg wearing the veil, not believing women should mix with men in the workplace, not believing women should take up paid employment. Such barriers reduce the income earning potential of ethnic minority households.
face discrimination in the workplace. A TUC Report highlighted discrimination towards job candidates from ethnic minority communities. Figures show people from ethnic minority groups complete more job applications than white job seekers but fail to get as many interviews
Low levels of household income
Many ethnic minorities are in low paid jobs, with some recent immigrants even earning below the minimum wage in the informal economy. Moreover, some ethnic minorities are underemployed in that they are working in family businesses that are overstaffed, not being fully occupied at work and being low paid as a result.
Although many ethnic minorities are not entitled to full benefits, the complexity of claiming for benefits leads to a low level of take up amongst ethnic minorities. Many ethnic minorities do not understand the system and many are not aware of what benefits are available to them and their families.
However, some ethnic minorities are trapped into a lifestyle of welfare dependency. Caribbean and Black Africans have much higher rates of single parenthood. As many ethnic minorities are also unemployed this means that a bigger percentage of ethnic minorities are dependent on benefits.
