'Clear gaps' remain with disabled workers
The findings from the Equality Commission were revealed on Wednesday
The Equality Commission Statement on Key Inequalities in Northern Ireland, published today, strikes a cautionary note.
The Statement identifies fourteen key inequalities in employment that affect disabled people, women, carers, lone parents, those under 24 and those over 50, migrant workers, and Irish Travellers.
It also highlights that prejudicial attitudes within the workplace affect all these groups as well as LGBT and those of different religious beliefs.
Dr Michael Wardlow, Chief Commissioner of the Equality Commission said:
"Whilst improvements in the unemployment rate are welcome, if we are to make further progress in terms of participation and progression in our workplaces, we must tackle these persistent and emerging inequalities.
"“Getting a job and progressing within it is a key driver for both economic and social wellbeing and is a key route to improved social mobility and inclusion as well as a route out of poverty. It is important that employment opportunities are open to everyone and the barriers faced by particular groups are reduced.
"Employment equality laws dealing with religion, gender, disability, race, sexual orientation and age, and provisions for flexible working and leave, have had a considerable effect. We have seen significant progress in terms of both access to and participation in employment over the decades since they were introduced. They have helped transform the working environment for many people.
The drive to improve participation in and progression within employment for everyone in our society remains at the heart of the work of the Equality Commission.
“We want this Statement to inform the work of Government and organisations with responsibilities for, or an interest in, employment, as we all strive to create a place where people want to live and work."
Key Inequalities identified in the Statement include:
Disability
There is a persistent employment gap between people with and without disabilities. Only around one third of people with disabilities are in work here compared to three quarters of people without disabilities.
Gender
Women have a lower employment rate and a higher economic inactivity rate when they have dependents.
Women experience industrial segregation in employment, that is, men and women are distributed differently across occupations, jobs, and places of work.
Caring responsibilities
Lone parents with dependents experience barriers to employment
Carers experience barriers to getting and keeping a job
Women, lone parents with dependents and carers who provide less than 49 hours of care are more likely to be in part-time employment.
Women and lone parents experience occupational segregation in employment.
Age
Those aged 18-24 years old have higher unemployment rates than those aged 25 years and older.
Those aged 50-64 years old are less likely to be in employment and more likely to be economically inactive than those aged 25-49 years old.
Race
Migrant workers, particularly those from Eastern European countries, are subject to industrial and occupational segregation, face multiple barriers to employment, and are vulnerable to exploitation.
Irish Travellers are less likely to be in employment than all other ethnic groups.
Prejudice at work
Prejudicial attitudes (unequal treatment, harassment, discrimination), both within and outside the workplace, are experienced by people with disabilities, women, trans people, lesbian, gay and bisexual people, people from minority ethnic groups, migrant workers and those of different religious beliefs.