Ethnic Minorities in the Labour Market

Abstract

It has been 'well-known' for many years that Britain's ethnic minorities face disadvantage in the labour market. Some groups are seriously disadvantaged: Pakistanis and Bangladeshis (both men and women), Caribbean and African men. But, while other minorities may experience specific problems, it is difficult to argue that their employment rates and earnings are substantially worse than those of white men and women: Indians and Chinese (both men and women), Caribbean and African women.

The challenge, therefore, is to explain the differences between minority groups, as well as between some minorities and the white population.