Introduction

This chapter considers the labour market situation and labour force participation of ethnic minority women, focusing on three topics: the local labour market situation, in two locations, of Indian women, numerically one of the most important minorities in the English labour market; the position of two much smaller ethnic minority groups (Pakistani and Bangladeshi women), again in two specific local labour markets; and the relationship between changing levels of qualification, different family circumstances and labour market participation among Black Caribbean women.

The evidence presented is drawn from several sources: statistical analysis of the local labour market situation of ethnic minority women in 12 localities (Buckner et al, 2004a–i, 2005a, 2005b, 2006), the GELLM study of ethnic minority women and the labour market in five local authorities (Stiell and Tang, 2006a-e; Yeandle et al, 2006j) and an examination of local authority district-level data, focusing on the geographical distribution of unemployment and economic inactivity among women of different ethnicities (Buckner et al, 2007). The research involved extensive statistical analysis, explored local understandings of key issues using documentary sources, and drew on new qualitative research in the selected localities, using innovative methodologies (Stiell et al, 2006). It was developed as a contribution to the literature on ethnic minority women and to inform public policy at the national and local levels.

The labour market disadvantage experienced by some ethnic minority groups is well established (Daniel, 1968; Smith, 1974; Brown, 1984; Modood et al, 1997; Robson and Berthoud, 2003; Berthoud and Blekesaune, 2007), with some writers emphasising the multiple disadvantages experienced by ethnic minority women (Noon and Hoque, 2001; Bradley et al, 2002; Hall et al, 2004). These studies have identified a range of factors that may restrict labour force participation among ethnic minority women: domestic responsibilities and childcare, limited knowledge of English, lack of formal qualifications, family or community pressures against working outside the home, racial discrimination in the labour market and the geographical location of jobs (Brah and Shaw, 1992).

Qualifications have sometimes been highlighted as particularly important, as ethnic minority women have historically had poorer access to these.