Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

TUC analysis: Unemployment rate widens between minority workers and white counterparts

TUC analysis: Unemployment rate widens between minority workers and white counterparts

A NEW analysis released on Friday (6) revealed that the unemployment gap between black and minority ethnic (BME) and white workers has widened from 69 per cent to 120 per cent through the pandemic. 

An analysis of ONS data by the Trades Union Congress (TUC) stated that the unemployment rate for BME workers is now at 7.7 per cent, compared to 3.5 per cent for white workers.


Besides, the study said that the annual average unemployment gap over the last 20 years is now the widest since 2008.

According to the study, the unemployment rate for BME workers is now 33 per cent higher than it was pre-pandemic. But for white workers, it's just two per cent higher.

LEAD TUC GettyImages 1087883576 General Secretary of the Trades Union Congress, Frances O'Grady (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

TUC general secretary Frances O’Grady said: “BME workers bore the brunt of the economic impact of the pandemic. In every industry where jobs were lost to the impact of Covid, BME workers were more likely to have been made unemployed. Now, BME workers are being held back in their search for work.

“The pandemic held up a mirror to discrimination in our labour market. As we start to build back, the time for excuses and delays is over. Ministers must challenge the systemic racism and inequality that holds back BME people at work.”

Following the report, the union body has called for an end to the structural discrimination and inequalities that hold BME people back at work.

The TUC has urged employers to work with trade unions to establish a comprehensive ethnic monitoring system covering ethnicity pay-gap reporting, recruitment, retention, promotion, pay and grading, access to training, performance management and discipline and grievance procedures.

It also asked companies to work with trade unions and workforce representatives to develop action plans that address racial disparities in their workplaces.

In the wake of the report, the TUC has asked the government and public authorities to introduce race equality requirements into public sector contracts for the supply of goods and services.

According to the body, it would incentivise companies to improve their race equality policies and practices and minimise the use of zero-hours, temporary and agency contracts and promote permanent employment.

Companies that do not meet the requirements should not be awarded a public contract, it demanded.

The TUC has appealed to the equality and human rights commission (EHRC) to work with trade unions to use its investigative powers and the newly established race equality fund to address race discrimination in all labour market sectors.

"The benefits of workforce diversity are well known, including better decision-making, higher productivity and increased employee engagement. Every employer should strive for a workforce that reflects its diverse community," said a spokesperson for the EHRC.

"The EHRC has recommended mandatory reporting by ethnicity for staff recruitment, retention and promotion. This would help employers to understand any barriers facing some ethnic minorities in the workplace and to take action to improve diversity, including by eliminating bias in recruitment.

"To tackle race discrimination at work, last year the EHRC launched a Race Legal Support Fund to help employees to take action against organisations that may have broken equality law. We have already funded seven cases, including Rico Quitongo, a Scottish football player who is taking action against his former clubs for race discrimination."

More For You

Andrew Tate Sued by Ex-Girlfriend Brianna Stern Over Sexual Assault Allegations

Tate’s attorney, Joseph McBride, has dismissed the lawsuit

Getty

Andrew Tate faces sexual assault lawsuit from ex-girlfriend Brianna Stern

Social media personality Andrew Tate is facing a new lawsuit from his ex-girlfriend, Brianna Stern, who has accused him of sexual assault, battery, and gender violence. The lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles, details allegations of abuse and an incident that allegedly took place at The Beverly Hills Hotel on 11 March 2025.

Allegations in the lawsuit

According to the legal complaint, Stern claims that Tate initially appeared as a "dream come true" but later became emotionally and physically abusive. The lawsuit describes a violent encounter at the hotel, where she alleges Tate physically assaulted and threatened her.

Keep ReadingShow less
Voices of Faith 2025: A journey through spirituality and wisdom

Soumik Datta (R) and Gurdain Singh Rayatt

Voices of Faith 2025: A journey through spirituality and wisdom

Mahesh Liloriya

The inaugural edition of Voices of Faith commenced on Friday at the iconic Barbican Centre, Silk Street, London, marking the beginning of an extraordinary three-day festival exploring theological philosophies, interfaith dialogues, and the deeper essence of spirituality through conversations, music, and healing vibes.

Organised by Teamwork Arts, the creators of the Jaipur Literature Festival (JLF) and JLF London, Voices of Faith is presented by the Kamini and Vindi Banga Family Trust, with the support of Tech Mahindra. Eastern Eye and Garavi Gujarat serve as the official media partners of this landmark event. This unique festival seeks to offer insights into navigating the complexities of modern life through the timeless wisdom enshrined in global religious traditions. It focuses on the universal ideals of compassion and interconnectedness that underpin the world’s faiths, fostering dialogue that transcends barriers and deepens mutual understanding.

Keep ReadingShow less
Court reopens Asian child sex offender's deportation case

Home Office successfully challenged a ruling that allowed him to remain in Britain (Photo for representation: iStock)

Court reopens Asian child sex offender's deportation case

A PAKISTANI man convicted of sexually assaulting a child under 13 will face a fresh deportation hearing after the Home Office successfully challenged a ruling that allowed him to remain in Britain, reported The Times.

The offender, who cannot be named for legal reasons, had initially won his case to stay in the UK after claiming he would face "inhuman or degrading treatment" if sent back to Pakistan due to his alcoholism.

Keep ReadingShow less
India launches Operation Brahma to aid quake-hit Myanmar

Rescue teams work to save residents trapped under the rubble of the destroyed Sky Villa Condominium development in Mandalay on March 29, 2025. (Photo by SAI AUNG MAIN/AFP via Getty Images)

India launches Operation Brahma to aid quake-hit Myanmar

INDIA has swiftly responded to the devastating earthquake in Myanmar by launching Operation Brahma, sending emergency relief and rescue teams to the disaster-stricken nation.

A C-130J military transport aircraft of the Indian Air Force landed in Yangon on Saturday (29), carrying 15 tonnes of relief supplies including hygiene kits, blankets and food parcels. The aid mission comes after a powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar on Friday (28), killing more than 1,000 people and injuring nearly 2,400 others.

Keep ReadingShow less
Britain’s happiness crisis: UK hits record low in global wellbeing rankings

Pakistan stands at 109th place out of 147 countries

Britain’s happiness crisis: UK hits record low in global wellbeing rankings

THE UK has experienced a significant blow to its national morale, plummeting to 23rd place in the World Happiness Report for 2025 – its lowest ranking ever – despite being the world’s sixth richest nation.

Released to mark the UN’s International Day of Happiness last Thursday (20), the report provided a nuanced exploration of national contentment that extends far beyond economic measurements.

Keep ReadingShow less