Britain's ethnic workers face lower pay, bullying, harassment: union leader

LONDON, March 17 (Xinhua) -- Black, Asian and ethnic minority workers in Britain are a third more likely than white people in Britain to be stuck in temporary work or jobs with zero-hour contracts, the country's biggest trades union body said Saturday.

The Trades Union Congress (TUC) issued figures to highlight an ethnic pay gap to coincide with a march through London Saturday to protest against racism.

The TUC said its figures show many of the 3.2 million people from BME (Black and Minority ethnic) communities still face discrimination and problems at work.

Black workers get paid 8.3 percent less than white workers, costing them an average of 1.60 U.S. dollars an hour.

The TUC said 37 percent of BME workers have been bullied, abused or singled out at work, with 57 percent of BME women affected by bullying and harassment suffering mental health problems.

Tens of thousands of people are expected to take to the streets of London to join the Stand Up To Racism march.

The TUC said the Stand Up to Racism demonstration will make an important statement that trade unions and other organisations are opposed to the increasing levels of racism and xenophobia in Britain today.

The march takes place ahead of the UN's International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination on March 21.

TUC General Secretary Frances O'Grady said: "Racism has no place in the modern workplace or wider society. Bullying, harassment and victimisation is undermining, humiliating, and can have a huge effect on mental health.

"Employers must take a zero-tolerance attitude to racism and treat every complaint seriously. It's a scandal that so few black and Asian workers feel their bosses are not dealing with racism properly. Enditem