Female migrants most likely to be illegally underpaid

August 12, 2008
Female migrants most likely to be illegally underpaid

An estimated 35,000 recent female migrant workers are being paid less than the minimum wage.

(PhysOrg.com) -- A new study shows female migrant workers may be more likely than any other group to be paid less than the national minimum wage.

New research by the Centre on Migration, Policy and Society (COMPAS) at Oxford University shows that recent migrants are more than twice as likely as other workers to be earning less than the minimum wage. Women who recently migrated to the UK are even more likely than recent male migrant workers to be paid less, with an estimated 35,000 of them being illegally underpaid.

The research, commissioned by the TUC, aims to look at the reality behind the increase in the number of reported abuses of migrant workers. COMPAS reviewed the pay, working hours, type of work and accommodation of recent migrant workers who have been living and working in the UK for less than 10 years. The research focused on the East of England and the Midlands, areas where there have been high levels of recent migration. National information about migrant workers, such as the government’s Labour Force Survey (LFS), was also included in the report.

Oxford researchers Dr Hiranthi Jayaweera and Dr Bridget Anderson also found that recent migrants are more likely to have insecure employment and work far more hours than non-migrant workers. Over half (55 per cent) of recent migrant workers averaged between 31- 48 hours per week and 15 per cent totted up more than 48 hours, compared to 48 per cent and 13 per cent of workers generally.

The research was based on national data supplied by the Labour Force Survey and the Workers Registration Scheme, as well as smaller regional datasets based on surveys and registers of workers and labour providers, and organisations set up to help European workers in this country.

Provided by Oxford University


Rank not rated yet
Relevant PhysicsForums posts

More news stories

A frank discussion of the power law and linking correlation to causation

(PhysOrg.com) -- Michael Stumpf a mathematics professor at Imperial College in London, and Mason Porter a lecturer at Oxford have teamed together to write and publish a perspective piece in Science regarding the in ...

Other Sciences / Mathematics

created Feb 10, 2012 | popularity 5 / 5 (5) | comments 11 | with audio podcast report

US workers are 'giving away the store,' costing firms billions

Nearly 70 percent of the nation's service employees give away free goods and services – from hamburgers to cable TV – costing companies billions of dollars a year, according to a groundbreaking study.

Other Sciences / Economics & Business

created Feb 09, 2012 | popularity 3 / 5 (5) | comments 11

Employers feel no love for unscrupulous practice of 'service sweethearting'

A new study led by two Florida State University marketing professors finds that some frontline service employees who are rewarded for hikes in customer loyalty and satisfaction also may engage in "service ...

Other Sciences / Economics & Business

created Feb 10, 2012 | popularity 3.3 / 5 (3) | comments 10

New insights into how to correct false knowledge

The abundance of false information available on the Internet, in movies and on TV has created a big challenge for educators.

Other Sciences / Social Sciences

created Feb 07, 2012 | popularity 4.9 / 5 (7) | comments 9 | with audio podcast

Neanderthal demise due to many influences, including cultural changes: study

As an ice age crept upon them thousands of years ago, Neanderthals and modern human ancestors expanded their territory ranges across Asia and Europe to adapt to the changing environment.

Other Sciences / Archaeology & Fossils

created Feb 07, 2012 | popularity 4.4 / 5 (5) | comments 8 | with audio podcast


Scientists discover molecular secrets of 2,000-year-old Chinese herbal remedy

For roughly two thousand years, Chinese herbalists have treated Malaria using a root extract, commonly known as Chang Shan, from a type of hydrangea that grows in Tibet and Nepal. More recent studies suggest that halofuginone, ...

New method to examine batteries -- MRI from the inside

There is an ever-increasing need for advanced batteries for portable electronics, such as phones, cameras, and music players, but also to power electric vehicles and to facilitate the distribution and storage of energy derived ...

Overeating may double risk of memory loss

New research suggests that consuming between 2,100 and 6,000 calories per day may double the risk of memory loss, or mild cognitive impairment (MCI), among people age 70 and older. The study was released today and will be ...

A mitosis mystery solved: How chromosomes align perfectly in a dividing cell

Although the process of mitotic cell division has been studied intensely for more than 50 years, Whitehead Institute researchers have only now solved the mystery of how cells correctly align their chromosomes during symmetric ...

Lab study raises questions over nano-particle impact

Tests involving chickens have raised questions about the impact on health from engineered nano-particles, the ultra-fine grains commonly used in drugs and processed foods, scientists said on Sunday.

Google might launch Drive for cloud storage soon

(PhysOrg.com) -- Google's next big move, according to the Wall Street Journal, is a cloud storage service called Drive. Hardly first to the plate, Google is simply catching up to introducing its cloud reposi ...