Race Inequality in the Workforce: Analysing the state of play in the coronavirus economy

The effect of Covid-19 on the labour market impacted specific groups of workers more than others, including those with an ethnic minority background.  In this report, we explore evidence that shows the specific impact that the pandemic had on Black and Minority Ethnic workers, in terms of both loss of employment and poorer quality work during the economic downturn. The report makes 11 recommendations for government and employers to ensure both that job quality is protected for all and that groups at particular risk are safeguarded.

This short report complements our Good Work for Wellbeing in the Coronavirus Economy report which seeked to understand how we could ensure the best possible jobs recovery and achieve good work for all in the coronavirus economy. Note This paper discusses the labour market impacts of the coronavirus pandemic on BAME communities, through the lens of these job quality dimensions. The term BAME is used in this paper to consider the specific impacts in this crisis for workers from ethnic minority backgrounds. However, we recognise that as a term it falls short of reflecting the diversity of the range of communities and cultures represented in the UK, and that experiences in the labour market differ significantly for different groups and indeed for individuals.