Employment gaps of foreign-born women in Finland: an intercategorical intersectionality approach

Abstract

Abstract Background Previous studies have shown that foreign-born women have multiple disadvantages in the Finnish labor market leading to an employment gap between foreign-born women, foreign born men and the general population. The employment gap negatively affects the lives of many women and their children (e.g. poverty), contributing to disparities in health and wellbeing, as well as underutilization and waste of human capital in the society. Methods Using data from the cross-sectional survey on well-being among foreign born population (FinMonik), conducted in Finland 2018, we compared employment outcomes and the prevalence of different barriers to working life across studied population groups, aged 25-64, representing different ethnic backgrounds, genders and education levels. We employed an intercategorical intersectionality approach that uses categories to make visible which differences carry significance and how multiple simultaneous disadvantages intersect to produce inequities in full- and part-time employment outcomes. Analysis weights were applied in the analyses. Results Labor market outcomes showed wide variation across genders, ethnic backgrounds and education levels both within and between studied groups. Highly educated Estonian women had the highest rate of full-time employment 73% (95% CI [59.3, 83.1]), while highly educated women from African countries (excl. North Africa) and North Africa and Middle East lagged behind all migrant groups, with full-time employment around 42% and 34 % (95% CI [23.3, 63] and [20.6, 50.2], respectively). Low educated Estonians had the highest full-time employment rate, 69% (95% CI [61.5, 75.8]), exceeding that of general population, 55% (95% CI [53.2, 56.5]). Conclusions The results suggest that intersectionality of ethnicity, gender and education level have impacts on labor market participation. The most marginalized groups are disproportionately affected by inequities and exclusionary practices in the Finnish labor market. Key messages Distinct employment gaps between population groups demonstrate how multiply disadvantaged groups face multiple barriers in working life. To improve health equity, solutions are needed to remove structural barriers to employment that unfairly disadvantage certain groups of people.