More evidence on Muslim labour market discrimination, time for policy action

The Independent reports on continuing research by Dr Nabil Khattab on UK labour market outcomes for British Muslims with an article on latest findings from research presented to the British Sociological Association annual meeting this week.

Dr Khattab has previously released findingsrevealing the extent of labour market discrimination against British Muslims noting the high levels of unemployment among Muslim men and women relative to other groups, White Britons and ethnic minorities, despite equal levels of education and qualifications.

The Independent notes that Dr Khattab’s latest research, with Dr Shereen Hussein, found that “the unemployment rate for Muslim women is between 5.9 per cent and 27 percent depending on the woman’s ethnic background. By contrast, the rate for white non-Muslim women is 3.5 percent.

“A similar gap was noted among professional occupations whereby 8.5 percent to 23 percent of Muslim women are employed depending on ethnicity, compared to 32 percent of white non-Muslim women.”

The gaps exist even when prospective Muslim employees hold equal education and qualifications as those from other social groups.

Dr Khattab said: “Economic activity among Muslim women in the UK remains considerably lower and their unemployment rate remains significantly higher than the majority group even after controlling for qualifications and other individual characteristics.”

He added that a Muslim women’s dress may be the basis for some level of employer discrimination stating: “They wear a hijab or other religious symbols which makes them more visible and as such exposed to greater discrimination.”

The high rates of unemployment among British Muslims, and particularly among British Muslim women has been documented in a series of reports published since the 2001 census made available detailed data on the UK’s faith groups and ethnic minorities. Despite this wealth of data and analysis, policy prescriptions to tackle employment discrimination have been much slower to follow.

Late last year, the PM David Cameron announced the setting up of an inquiry led by Louise Casey to look into disparity and discrimination in labour market outcomes among minority groups including Muslims. Casey’s report, which was due to be published early this year, is still awaited.

The Women and Equalities select committee announced an inquiry into Muslims and employment in the UK. The inquiry is currently underway.

While research continues to establish empirical evidence on the obstacles facing Muslims in the labour market, and the wider social impact of discrimination on poverty, integration and well-being, policy interventions have not kept pace. Indeed, policy interventions have been noticeably absent.

Let’s hope the new research by Dr Khattab does more to galvanise policymakers than the cumulative data already published in reports such as the 2001 Cabinet Office report Ethnic minorities in the labour market, the National Equality Panel report,Valuing Family, Valuing Work and the APPG Race and Community report on Ethnic Minority Female Unemployment: Black, Pakistani and Bangladeshi Heritage Women.