One in eight has suffered discrimination, study says

ALMOST one in eight people have experienced discrimination over the last two years, a new report has revealed.

The study by the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) found that Travellers are ten times more likely to be discriminated against in seeking work, while women are twice as likely as men to experience discrimination at work.

According to the study, published yesterday, black people are three times more likely to face discrimination in the workplace. People with disabilities are more than twice as likely to experience discrimination in all areas – at work, in recruitment and in accessing public and private services.

The research, entitled Who Experiences Discrimination in Ireland? Evidence from the QNHS Equality Modules, published jointly by the ESRI and the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission, examined people’s experiences of discrimination at work, in recruitment and in accessing public services. It found that women are almost twice as likely as men to experience discrimination in work, with issues of pay and promotion frequently raised. There are no gender differences in other areas.

Black people compared to white Irish respondents are three times more likely to experience discrimination in access to public services – and more than four times more likely in access to private services.

However, white non-Irish do not differ from white Irish respondents in reported discrimination in any sector of society. Irish Travellers are more than 22 times more likely to experience discrimination in access to private services such as in pubs and shops. The 45 to 64 age group are more likely to experience it seeking work but in private services, the over 65s are much less likely to experience discrimination.