'Shocking' ethnic minority pay gap

Tuesday, 23 November 2004 12:00 AM

Ethnic minority employees are twice as likely to be unemployed as their white counterparts, a government task force has found.

The employment rate for ethnic minorities stood at 59.4 per cent, compared with 74.9 per cent for the general population, the "ethnic minorities employment task force" found in its inaugural annual report.

Jane Kennedy, chair of the taskforce, said the figures were "shocking" and pledged to combat the disparity.

More optimistically, the figures found a small increase of 1.4 per cent in ethnic minority employment.

This was primarily down to more ethnic minority women finding work.

Ms Kennedy said: "The employment rate for ethnic minorities is rising but not fast enough.

"That is why a lot more needs to be done to realise the potential of those from an ethnic minority background.

"Ethnic minorities are twice as likely to be unemployed.

"These statistics are shocking and that is why this cross-government taskforce has been created and is committed to bringing about change."

The study found that while average weekly earnings stood at £376 for white people, ethnic minorities brought home £347.

Bangladeshi people earned an average of £235 a week compared with Indians who on an average earned £373.

It is estimated Asian and black workers earned up to 7,000 pounds a year less than white people, despite having the same qualifications and skills.

The taskforce is comprised of five ministers and representatives from the Commission for Racial Equality, the Trades Union Congress and the Confederation of British Industry.

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