Pakistani Women in the Labour Market: Exploring Structure, Choice, and Constraint

This research uses a mixed-method approach to build on previous research which has shown Pakistani women have low rates of labour market participation. In doing so, this thesis contributes to the argument that intersectionality is crucial when exploring labour market participation, whilst contributing to a body of research that continues to problematise the gendered nature of labour market participation in the UK. Through the exploration of factors relating to life-stage, education, and skills, this thesis demonstrates a variety of ways Pakistani women might seek to participate in the labour market, and therefore differ in the types of support they need. Although cultural preferences do have an impact, this thesis characterises Pakistani women’s labour market participation as heavily constrained by structural factors, shaped by a climate of Islamophobia as well as a labour market that is persistently gendered, and therefore challenges lay conceptions of Muslim women as ‘submissive’ and ‘oppressed’. This thesis makes policy suggestions that aim to support Pakistani women who wish to participate in the labour market, as well as those who are distanced from the labour market, and suggests that future research could consider Pakistani women’s experiences in the work place, and could also explore the experiences of a wider range of ethnic groups.