Press Release
A new cross party report has found that unemployment among minority ethnic women is considerably greater than among their white counterparts.
It found that women from Pakistani, Bangladeshi and black communities were facing particular problems of discrimination in the jobs market. In response, some Muslim women were anglicising their names, removing their hijabs and being increasingly discouraged from applying for jobs they are well qualified for.
Tower Hamlets Mayor Lutfur Rahman said:
“These findings are very worrying. They illustrate the reality of racism and the damage it causes to the economy by making it more difficult for Black and Asian women to get work.
This government spends a lot of time attacking people on benefits. It would do better to focus on tightening employment law, improving recruitment practices and giving Black and Asian women greater confidence they will not endure discrimination in the jobs market.”
Notes to editors:
1. The All-Party Parliamentary Group on Race and Community is chaired by David Lammy MP
2. Ethnic minority women face jobs crisis: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/dec/07/ethnic-minority-women-jobs-crisis
3. Women remove hijabs (headscarves) or make names sound more English to beat discrimination, says parliamentary report: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/9728869/Women-remove-hijabs-to-get-work-as-ethnic-minorities-face-more-discrimination.html
For information about this press release contact Numan Hussain, Political Adviser to the Mayor, on 07508 352 023 or email numan.hussain@towerhamlets.gov.uk
