Equality policies 'working' claims report

NIO Equality Minister Jeff Rooker has welcomed a report that indicates progress in tackling labour market inequalities in Northern Ireland.

This was among the findings of the Labour Market Dynamics Report, which examines recent changes in the labour market, with a specific focus on religion, gender and disability.

Published today by the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister (OFMDFM), the Report by independent consultants DTZ PIEDA, provides an assessment of recent trends in inequalities in the Northern Ireland labour market, along with estimates of how things are likely to change in future.

Mr Rooker said: “Government already has a broad range of legislation and policy initiatives aimed at promoting equality of opportunity in the Northern Ireland labour market. It is therefore encouraging to note that progress has been made in reducing the unemployment gap between Catholics and Protestants and that religion accounts for much less labour market disadvantage than it did previously.”

He noted, however, that while Northern Ireland has seen a steady decline in the numbers out of work for more than one year, Catholics continue to experience relatively high levels of long-term unemployment. Also, relatively high levels of economic inactivity persist among Catholics, women and people with disabilities.

The Minister said the Government was committed to tackling labour market inequalities and this would be reflected in the objectives of the pending anti-poverty strategy: “This strategy recognises the importance of employment as a route out of poverty and correspondingly, the importance of promoting equality of opportunity in the labour market for all.”

The Minister added that Government would continue to strengthen the rights of people with disabilities. Also, more progress would be made in the New Year with the publication of the Women’s Action Plan, which will include cross-departmental actions to address barriers to women’s participation in employment.

He said: “This will include the provision of accessible, affordable childcare; actions to extend the package of measures to support working families, and through the skills strategy, provide better opportunities to participate in education and training to acquire skills for sustainable employment.”

The Labour Market Dynamics research project was commissioned in line with a commitment within the Joint Declaration of April 2003 to fund research in support of measures aimed at combating unemployment and progressively eliminating the differential in unemployment rates between the two communities.

The research undertaken by Edinburgh-based DTZ PIEDA was commissioned in March 2004 on behalf of the then Implementation Sub-Group of the Employability Taskforce.

(SP)