Documenting discrimination against migrant workers in the labour market : a comparative study of four European countries

Abstract

In western Europe immigrants and minority workers suffer unemployment rates frequently two to three times higher than those of national workers. The problem is particularly acute among young workers, many of whom were born and raised in these countries. Discrimination in access to employment, rather than poor qualifications, has long been suspected to be at the root of their marginalization. This insightful study offers a sound methodology for documenting the occurrence of unlawful discrimination and proposes concrete measures for tackling migrant discrimination in the future. After demonstrating the various aspects of the ILO research methodology, this book analyses the findings of four countries which tested this method on their own working populations: Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands and Spain. A critical, cross-country analysis of these results is presented to show how discrimination differed by region, economic sector, occupation, size of establishment, and ownership. It stresses that methodologically sound research is vital for determining what is fact and what is fiction when it comes to discrimination in the hiring process. While shedding light on the nature, extent, and consequences of discrimination against migrant workers, this volume also offers essential policy measures which can be taken to combat discrimination. Specifically, it focuses on the important and necessary elements of legislation and anti-discrimination training.

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