City Hall urges action to tackle barriers facing Bangladeshi women in London’s workforce

Ansar Ahmed Ullah
Contributing Editor,Shottobani

London: A new report commissioned by City Hall has called for urgent action from employers, local leaders, and the government to improve job access and career progression for Bangladeshi and Pakistani women in London, who face some of the starkest inequalities in the capital’s labour market.

Figures show that nearly half (48.1%) of Bangladeshi and Pakistani women in London were economically inactive in 2022, with unemployment rates more than three times higher than men from the same communities (16.9% compared to 5.5%). The pay gap is also severe—Pakistani women in London earn 60% less than men from their ethnic group, while Bangladeshi women face a 50% gap.

The research, conducted by the National Institute of Economic and Social Research (NIESR) for the Mayor’s Workforce Integration Network (WIN), highlights barriers including workplace bias, inflexible hours, limited childcare, exclusion from professional networks, unrecognised overseas qualifications, and visa restrictions. Some women reported feeling pressured to change their names to secure interviews. The report recommends targeted outreach, flexible working policies, recognition of overseas qualifications, and clearer progression pathways.

City Hall says it is already working to address these inequalities through initiatives such as WIN—which supports Black, Asian, and racially minoritised Londoners into key growth sectors—and the London Anchor Institutions’ Network, which unites major employers to tackle structural inequalities. Since 2021, WIN has helped around 1,500 young people from underrepresented backgrounds into work.

Deputy Mayor for Communities and Social Justice Dr Debbie Weekes-Bernard said, “London is one of the most diverse cities in the world, but too many Londoners still face huge barriers to securing well-paid, stable jobs. This research shows the scale of the challenge for Bangladeshi and Pakistani women. We must work together—communities, businesses, and local leaders—to remove everyday barriers and build a more inclusive city.”

Professor Adrian Pabst of NIESR added that the findings have “implications for the national effort to reduce economic inactivity” and called for reforms “shaped by the voices and experiences of these women.”

The Mayor is set to launch an Inclusive Talent Strategy later this year, linking Londoners’ career ambitions with employer-led skills and employment programmes to ensure “every Londoner has the chance to succeed.”