[Queen_Sabah]

Unemployment rates among Muslims are more than double that of any other community in the UK

Muslim people are much more likely to be unemployed than any other faith group in the country, a House of Commons committee has warned in a report outlining stark differences in the social and economic experiences of different communities in Britain.

Commissioned by the Women and Equalities Committee, the report 'Employment Opportunities for Muslims in the UK' raises concerns that not enough is being done to ensure British Muslims are afforded the same employment opportunities as the rest of society


Within this figure, a significant gender divide emerges, as 65 per cent of unemployed Muslims are women.

It is unknown if this gender disparity is due to Muslim women being more visible due to wearing more overt religious attire such as a hijab, meaning that employers are able to identify their religion more readily and subsequently discriminate against them. Or conversely, if cultural attitudes regarding gender in Muslim communities mean they are more reluctant for female community members to work.

Research has found 44 per cent of unemployed Muslim women say they are unable to work because they look after the home, compared to 16 per cent of unemployed women among the wider UK population.

Research elsewhere has indicated one in 4 employees will admit to being reluctant to hire Muslim women due to concerns they will put family commitments and caring duties above their professional duties.

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/u...-a7185451.html