Call to fix ethnicity pay gap by Asian Chamber

A WIDESPREAD ethnicity pay gap requires the “urgent attention” of business, claimed the president of the Asian Business Chamber of Commerce (ABCC).

Speaking at the organisation’s annual dinner and awards, Qasim Majid said the disparity in pay between Asian and non-Asian professionals remained a widespread issue in the corporate world.

Addressing more than 500 business people at the National Motorcycle Museum in Solihull, Mr Majid said: “Gone are the days of us shying away from real issues. Now is the time to finally address those elephants in the room.

“What I’d like to encourage more focus towards next, is the shocking yet unashamedly obvious - ethnic pay gap.

“The fact that Asian professionals – particularly female Asian professionals – are still not on par with their nonAsian counterparts, in corporate organisations.

“This, even in today’s ‘modern’ times, is still a widespread issue within the sector and as I’m sure you’ll agree, needs our urgent attention.

“For years we’re conditioned to believe that time is against us, that time is money, time waits for no-one and that time is the most difficult thing to acquire.

“But if we changed our perspectives slightly and realised that time, is in fact, on our side - that it is a gift, a blessing.

“And we can make of it what we will, then we will have the power to make a difference, to actually inspire positive change to facilitate things like ethical business relationships, equality in pay, and community service.”

But Mr Majid expressed his pride at the impact the ABCC’s Diversity and Inclusion Pledge has had on businesses across the region.

The Chamber has been working with some of the region’s biggest employers to promote greater representation of women, black and ethnic minority, LGBT and disability groups on boards and in leadership roles.

He said: “It has been 18 months since the ABCC launched its Diversity and Inclusion Pledge and as expected, the pledge has been adopted with great success. I am exceptionally proud that our Diversity and Inclusion Pledge has brought positive attention towards women, the BAME, LGBT and disability communities.”

Mr Majid also praised the Chamber network for its dedication to the “collection betterment” of the Greater Birmingham region.

He said organisations such as the Chamber have helped transform Birmingham into “a place that fosters innovation and forward-thinking”.