Young women born out of Sweden are most vulnerable on the job market, a new report by the government agency for youth and civil society (MCUF) has shown.
“Young foreign-born women, especially those from countries outside Europe, have a weaker position on the Swedish labor market than their peers.”, the agency said in a press release.
This vulnerable position can be attributed to discrimination and prejudice according to the report.
“They experience discrimination and are treated with prejudice by employers. Women wearing veils are particularly vulnerable.”
The integration debate in Sweden has largely been dominated by the supposed unwillingness of immigrants to do more and not the challenges which hinder them from progressing in society.
Young women who wear veils face even more direct prejudice as they get refused jobs because of their religion.
“Young women wearing veils are more discriminated against than others. The veil is seen as an obstacle in the work and it happens in reality that women get denied a job because they wear a veil,” the report added.
This, MUCF’s Director-General Lena Nyberg said, is unacceptable.
“It is unacceptable and very serious that discrimination occurs. There is a lot of ignorance and prejudice that we must become better at dealing with and educating about,” says Lena Nyberg.
The challenges faced by young foreign women are also more likely to be exacerbated by the ongoing corona pandemic, the report found.
“The corona pandemic has made it difficult for all young people to get a first job or internship. The current labor market situation risks particularly affecting young foreign-born women,” says MUCF’s Director-General Lena Nyberg.
