Ethnic workers ‘facing increased redundancy threat’

Posted 18/12/2009

Workers with ethnic minority backgrounds may be increasingly threatened by redundancy as a result of the recession, according to new research.

The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has published statistics which show that unemployment among Caribbean and African workers has risen by 4.4 per cent in the last two quarters.

Joblessness among those of Asian descent has also risen by 2.2 per cent, with both of these figures exceeding the 0.8 per cent rise in unemployment among white workers.

Trevor Phillips, chair of the EHRC, suggested that these figures show a regression in UK employment equality standards, which he said would have negative repercussions on the economy in future.

He added: “This implies a fundamental re-examination of the culture and practices that underlie the way our society and workplaces operate [is needed].”

Earlier this month, the Trades Union Congress suggested that ethnic minority workers are facing increasing discrimination in terms of both redundancy and recruitment.