BME Workers and the Economic Downturn
Davidson Chademana, member of the STUC Black Workers’ Committee said:
“Even in boom times unemployment is higher amongst black and minority ethnic communities, BME people are likely to be under-employed, and their access to services is more limited, therefore we are already starting from a lower position, and lower expectations.
“We really have to be careful of Gordon Brown's notion of ‘British jobs for British Workers’, this has the potential to work against BME workers. There is a very real feeling within BME communities that Black workers will be the first victims of any economic downturn. Those who do remain in jobs will be in areas of low pay and poor conditions, a multiple exploitation of sorts.
“We have to be wary of any polarisation within the workforce, where economic hardship may breed racism and prejudice against black and minority ethnic workers”.
Meeting with Communities Minister
Last month the STUC Black Workers’ Committee met with Minister for Communities Stewart Maxwell MSP, and raised with him a number of issues including: • Scottish Government’s Race Equality Strategy • Race Relations Amendment Act • Budget constraints / credit crunch, and the impact upon BME communities.
Mary Senior, Assistant Secretary STUC, and Secretary to the Committee said: “The STUC Black Workers’ Committee was pleased to have the opportunity to raise a whole host of concerns with the Minister. In particular we said that the Scottish Government needs to do more to take forward actions to support black and minority people in the workplace through its Skills Strategy and its National Economic Strategy. We did welcome the Minister’s response that the Scottish Government is to improve the data we have on BME people’s experiences in work, by the funding of a boost to the Labour Force Survey. Acquiring meaningful data on BME people’s position in the Scottish workforce is vital if we are to address under-employment, stereotyping and discrimination”.
The Committee also discussed with the Minister concerns that the current tight financial constraints may impact detrimentally on BME communities and funding for voluntary and community initiatives that support BME people. The general concern that BME people may suffer in the current economic down turn was also raised.
The Minister indicated that within the Scottish Government the Equalities Budget is increasing in real terms, and that the race equality work budget is being maintained.
Mary Senior said “the STUC welcomed the fact that the Minister listened to our concerns. It is vital to have strong leadership from the top to challenge racism and racist attitudes. The STUC welcomed the Minister’s commitment to developing the ‘One Scotland’ initiative, launched under the previous Labour led Executive”.
Read the Sunday Herald pieceFears minority staff will suffer in recession