Let Muslim women leave their names off job applications to boost their chances of finding work, say MPs
The proposal aims to curb the high levels of unemployment among Muslim women which is partly blamed on Islamophobia
MUSLIM women should be able to leave their names off job applications to boost their chances of finding work, MPs say.
They will today call for “name-blind” applications to be enforced by law if firms refuse to make changes themselves.
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Jobseekers with white-sounding names apply for an average of nine posts before getting an interview — but for ethnic minorities it is 16.
The Commons Women and Equalities Committee will make the proposals to end high levels of unemployment among Muslim women and halt spiralling Islamophobia in the workplace.
Some 12.8 per cent of Muslim women are out of work compared to 5.4 per of the population as a whole.
A report for the committee found Muslim women are regularly discriminated against for wearing headscarves and face veils.
Eighteen per cent said they ditched religious dress to find work, while many said the fear of Islamophobia puts them off finding jobs.
Tory MP and committee chair Maria Miller said stereotypical views of Muslim women “act as a barrier to work”.
And she said there were fears “not all Muslim women are treated equally”.
A Government Spokesperson said: “The Government is committed to making Britain a country that works for everyone. We want all people, regardless of their faith or gender to have access to the same opportunities so that they can reach their full potential.
“We are making progress – for example, there are now 45 per cent more Muslim women in work than in 2011 – but we know there is much more to do.
“We will look carefully at the recommendations and respond in due course.”
