Report shows Catholics finding it harder to get a job

A government survey has shown that more Catholics find it harder to get a job than Protestants.

The report, based on the 2000-2001 Labour Force survey, published by the Government Statistics and Research Agency shows the employment characteristics of Protestants and Roman Catholics in Northern Ireland.

The main finding of the report shows that among the unemployed 56 per cent were Catholic and 44 per cent were Protestant.

Of those employed, Catholics made up 42 per cent and Protestants 58 per cent.

However the report shows the difference between the unemployment rates of the two communities has narrowed since 1993.

In 1993 the unemployment rate for Catholics was 18.1 per cent and for Protestants the rate was 9.4 per cent. This is comparison with the latest report for 2000 which shows a Catholic unemployment rate of 8.8 per cent and Protestant rate of 5.2 per cent.

As regards the main occupational groupings of those in employment, Protestant representation was highest in plant and machine operatives, 65 per cent, while Catholic representation was highest in professional occupations, 48 per cent.

With respect to the industrial classification of those in employment, Protestant representation was highest in agriculture, hunting and forestry, 67 per cent, financial intermediation, 67 per cent and in manufacturing, 67 per cent.

Catholic representation was highest amongst those employed in construction 52 per cent.

The report also found overall, a higher proportion of Catholics than Protestants had qualifications above A-level.

Sinn Féin economy spokesperson Dara O’Hagan said the report highlighted evidence of ongoing discrimination. She said: “Catholics are under represented in the workforce. This means we have to ask many important questions about the way in which discrimination operates actively and passively. What is quite clear is that despite years of fair employment legislation and a focus on this issue that there has not been enough progress. There is not equality opportunity.”(AMcE)