Pakistani and Bangladeshi women are being disproportionately deprived of meaningful employment due to prejudice, structural inequality and inflexible offices.
Staff Reporter, Daily Dawn, Dawn TV Report
London: A new report released by the Greater London Authority (GLA) has revealed that Pakistani women living in London face the highest barriers to obtaining well-paid jobs compared to all ethnic groups, despite their higher levels of education.
The research report titled ‘Bangladeshi and Pakistani Women in Good Work’ says that women belonging to these communities are being disproportionately deprived of meaningful employment due to prejudice, structural inequality and inflexible offices.
The figures paint a bleak picture. In 2022, almost half (48.1%) of Pakistani and Bangladeshi women in London were economically inactive, compared to just 15.3% of men from the same background. The unemployment rate for these women was 16.9%, more than three times the 5.5% rate for men. The most worrying aspect is the gender pay gap, with Pakistani women in London earning 60% less than men on average, the highest gap of any ethnic group.
London’s Deputy Mayor for Communities and Social Justice, Dr Debbie Weeks-Bernard, described the findings as “shocking”, saying: “It is unacceptable that experienced Pakistani and Bangladeshi women are still being denied promotion or forced to change their names to get an interview. These stories show the resilience and courage of these women, but also highlight the urgent need to break down the barriers that hold them back.”
The report includes interviews with 32 women who expressed their frustration but also their determination.
Khadija, a British Pakistani female lawyer aged 30 to 35, described the financial difficulties she faced in paying for her legal profession course. “The LPC now costs £14,000. I saved up for it very hard. When I told her my father was a taxi driver, they just looked at me in surprise. For others, it was easier because their parents paid for it.”
Another British Bangladeshi community worker, Farzana, said: ‘Last year a position became vacant, my colleague was not given it even though she had over 10 years of experience, instead they gave the position to a white woman who couldn’t even manage the team, my Bangladeshi colleague still does everything’.
Amna, a Pakistani teacher who moved to the UK two years ago, said: ‘I went for an interview and they said my accent would confuse the students, they said our accents don’t match’.
Another major obstacle is discrimination based on Muslim identity, with Bangladeshi volunteer Mahmuda saying: ‘When we wear the hijab, they often look at us differently, like, can she work? Can she even speak?’
Balancing family responsibilities and a career is also a heavy burden, with affordable nursery and daycare emerging as a key demand, with British Bangladeshi administrator Zainab saying, “If I put my children in daycare so I can work longer, most of my salary will be spent there, it’s not possible.”
Despite these obstacles, many women showed determination, with Pakistani policy manager Anisa saying she would not have had the opportunity here at Malvern just because of a diversity internship, the field is too white and elitist.”
The report recommends urgent reforms, including blind recruitment, recognition of overseas degrees, affordable daycare, and development programmes for Pakistani and Bangladeshi women.
Dr Weeks-Bernard stressed that ‘economic growth and reducing inequality must go hand in hand so that no community is left behind, business leaders, local authorities and City Hall must create inclusive offices that reflect London’s diversity’.
The testimonies of Pakistani women reveal the depth of these challenges, as one participant said, ‘We are qualified, we are capable, but we are not seen in senior positions, it seems the glass ceiling is even thicker for us’.
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