Tackling Pay Discrimination for Black and Minority Ethnic Workers

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Conference
2005 National Delegate Conference
Date
28 February 2005
Decision
Carried as Amended

Conference is appalled to note the results of the government’s appointed Ethnic Minority Employment Task Force investigation into pay and employment for black and minority ethnic workers.

We note the findings that:

1)there is a substantial pay gap between ethnic minorities and the whole population. Weekly earnings for white workers average £376, compared with £347 for people from ethnic minorities;

2)four-fifths of Bangladeshi women are outside the labour force, and shockingly people of Bangladeshi origin who are in work earn an average of £235 a week;

3)black Caribbean men are 12 per cent unemployed whilst seeking work;

4)first generation Pakistani immigrants are twice as likely as white men to have no qualifications.

We further note the findings of the Fawcett report of February 2005 (Powerless, Poor and Passed Over) which highlights the multiple discrimination faced by black and minority ethnic women.

Conference recognises that this pay differential for black and minority ethnic workers arises in part from race discrimination in recruitment. For example, analysis by UNISON of recruitment data published by Lambeth council for the third quarter of 2004 indicated that white job applicants were 50 per cent more likely to be shortlisted than black and minority ethnic applications, and – once shortlisted – 30 per cent more likely to be offered employment, so that overall white job applicants were almost twice as likely to be successful as black and minority ethnic job applicants.

It is the disgraceful reality that in Britain in 2005 black and minority ethnic workers earn the least, have the least qualifications and are less likely to progress in their careers, and are more likely to be unemployed.

Conference calls on the National Executive Council to lobby the government to ensure that action is urgently taken to address these inequalities, including addressing the skills and qualifications deficit.

Conference further calls on union representatives at all levels to ensure that pay systems and training and job opportunities are fully evaluated for any discriminatory impact on black and minority ethnic workers.

Conference further urges branches to ensure that employers are complying with their obligations to publish information on recruitment under the Race Relations Act (Statutory Duties) Order and that where this discloses evidence of race discrimination, UNISON works with employers to ensure that they respond to this evidence in accordance with their duties under s71 of the Race Relations Act as amended.