Better help for Muslim workers

TARGETED support must be introduced to help tackle employment inequalities faced by Muslims in the UK, MPs have said.

A new report by the Women and Equalities Committee highlights the fact that Muslim people face the highest level of unemployment of all religious and ethnic groups at 12.8 per cent compared with 5.4 per cent for the general population.

The report calls on ministers to introduce a coherent cross-government strategy by the end of 2016 focused on helping specific groups, including Muslims, to run alongside a commitment to tackle disadvantages faced by black and minority ethnic (BME) people.

The report argues that the government must directly address discrimination in the workplace and do more to support people into work.

Ms Miller said the report shows there is an "urgent need to make equality of opportunity a reality for people of every faith and background".

The report places a particular emphasis on the need to address employment discrimination faced by Muslim women.

"We heard evidence that stereotypical views of Muslim women can act as a barrier to work," Ms Miller said.

"The data suggests that in communities these patterns are shifting across generations but we remain concerned that this shift is happening too slowly and that not all Muslim women are being treated equally."

The report calls for the introduction of a role model and mentoring programme specifically aimed at Muslim women.