Black and Asian workers lose out in pay say TUC

The Trades Union Congress is calling on the British government to extend Britain’s race relations laws to tackle a serious problem of low pay among the country’s black and Asian workers.

A new report released by the TUC on Friday 12 April entitled ‘Black and Excluded’ reveals that black and Asian male workers earn on average £97 per week less than their white counterparts.

The report shows alarming differences in pay within black and Asian communities. Pakistani and Bangladeshi men earn £150 per week less than white men, while the negative differential for Caribbean men is £115 and for Africans £116 per week. Black and Asian women fare better, and on average earn £7 per week more than white women - this is largely because they are more likely to be in full-time jobs.

However, Pakistani and Bangladeshi women remain, like their men, at the bottom earning on average £34 per week less than white women.

John Monks, TUC General Secretary, said: “New laws in the public sector will make a difference - these must now be extended to end the unfairness in pay for black and Asian workers. These workers already suffer twice the levels of unemployment, lack of promotion opportunities and racial harassment. Unions are seeking to work in partnership with employers and the government to end this disadvantage.” (AMcE)