date: 23 November 2004 embargo: For immediate release

Attention: industrial, political and social affairs correspondents, ethnic media

‘Black pay gap’ bad for business, says TUC

Commenting on the publication of the report of the Ethnic Minorities Employment Task Force, published today (Tuesday) by Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Alan Johnson MP, TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said:

'Despite many positive changes in the world of work, the harsh reality is that even now black and asian people, regardless of their age or background, qualifications or experience are more likely to be unemployed, lower paid and more junior than white people.

'Not only is this wrong, but it is also poor business sense. Companies that only recruit from a narrow base are missing out on the wide range of experiences on offer in our many different communities. We’ve got to make it harder for discriminating employers to continue to get away with their prejudices, and employees in the private sector deserve the same protection against racism that is enjoyed by people who work in the public sector.'

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Press release (300 words) issued 23 Nov 2004