Asian males give up search for employment

A concerning number of Asian men seem to have given up on finding work in New Zealand, says a Massey University researcher.

Dr Mervyl McPherson yesterday presented research on labour force participation from 1981 to 2001 at a Population Association of New Zealand conference at Auckland University.

She said there had been a decrease of the numbers of men in work in all ethnic groups in that period, but the decline was greatest for Asians.

About 38 per cent of Asian men in New Zealand were not in the labour force in 2001, compared with 25 per cent in 1981.

Dr McPherson told the Herald Asian men not working were less likely to describe themselves as unemployed than other males.

That implied some had "given up" trying to find work as people who described themselves as unemployed were still actively job-seeking, she said.

Research needed to be done to establish why some Asian men were no longer looking for work.

Dr McPherson said her research also showed Asian men with qualifications found it harder to get work than Asian women.

She noted that in the 1990s there was high immigration at a time when the economy was at its lowest ebb and unemployment was high.

"The labour market was on its knees."

Dr McPherson found evidence of racial discrimination, and said there were now higher demands for English language proficiency.

Auckland accountant Ataur Rahman, who has worked with many migrants, said he knew of Asian men who had given up looking for work because they had so many rejections.

"I know people who have sent out literally hundreds of CVs to get no response or the standard rejection letter.

"After hammering on the door so long they just give up."

Mr Rahman said there were problems with New Zealand employers not recognising migrants' qualifications and demanding local experience.

Auckland Regional Migrant Resource Centre services co-ordinator Asoka Basnayake said some people had given up after repeatedly applying for jobs and getting nowhere.

"They feel like they are banging their head against a brick wall ... they feel they have no hope."

National Party MP Pansy Wong said those who had given up were a small minority.

Asian men probably did not describe themselves as unemployed because of the stigma, and they did not want to be perceived as being on the unemployment benefit, she said.

Some not in the workforce were busy trying to establish businesses.

Out of work

* In 2001, about 38 per cent of Asian men in New Zealand were not in the labour force.

* That compares with 25 per cent in 1981.

* The corresponding figures for all men were about 25 and 21 per cent.