The number of black and minority ethnic (BME) workers in insecure work has reached a record high of 879,000, a union’s analysis reveals.
The number of people in insecure employment like zero-hours contracts, low-paid self-employment or casual/seasonal work increased by nearly one million between 2011 and 2023.
In total, this means 4.1 million are in precarious forms of employment, according to the Trades Union Congress (TUC).
In fact, during this time, it suggests those in insecure work rose three times faster than those in secure forms of work (31% vs 11%).
But BME workers have “borne the brunt” as, in 2011, just over 360,000 (one in eight) were in insecure employment.
However, this figure had more than doubled to an estimated 878,800 by 2023.
This 144% increase is around eight-and-a-half times the increase in the proportion of white workers in insecure work (a 17% increase) over the same period.
As such, the TUC estimates that currently one in six (16.9%) of BME workers in the UK are “trapped in precarious employment”, compared to one in nine white workers.
The TUC added that BME workers “experience racism at every stage of the labour market”, from discrimination in the recruitment processes, fewer opportunities for training and development compared to white workers, being unfairly disciplined, and being forced into roles with less favourable terms and pay.
In addition to their vulnerable work status, there’s also a severe pay penalty attached.
People on zero-hours contracts earn over a third (-35%) less per hour, on average, than workers on median pay.
And the pay gap between workers in seasonal (-33%) and casual (-37%) work and median earners is also “stark”, the TUC warned.
‘Trapped in low-paid, insecure work’
Paul Nowak, TUC’s general secretary, said: “The massive and disproportionate concentration of BME workers in insecure work is structural racism in action.
“Too many BME workers are trapped in low-paid, insecure jobs with limited rights and protections, and treated like disposable labour.
“Labour’s election victory is a welcome chance to tackle the systemic discrimination that holds BME workers back and to usher in a fresh start for hard-pressed working families.
“The new Government’s Employment Rights Bill to boost workers’ rights – and make work pay – can be a game-changer.
“It’s clear that banning zero-hours contracts and placing a duty on employers to report their ethnicity pay gap will make a huge difference to BME workers around the country.
“This is a historic opportunity to address inequality in the labour market and set the nation on course for a better future. We must grab it.”
