An Investigation of the Employment Status of Muslims in Queensland

This research is supported by the Multicultural Affairs Queensland (MAQ) as part of the Queensland Government's Muslim Community Engagement Strategy to promote positive community relations with the Muslim Community. The present study investigates the employment status of Muslims in Queensland. Research indicates that participation in the workforce provides not only necessary income but satisfaction, social prestige, and a sense of personal identity. Unemployment is not randomly distributed over the population, but rather disadvantages some groups more than others. This is the case with the Muslim population in Australia. Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) data indicates that in 1996 the unemployment rate of Australian Muslim women was three times higher than Australian-born females from English speaking backgrounds. Although during the last few years there has been a reduction of the unemployment rate among Muslims in Australia, there exists a significant gap between Muslims and the general population. The data for this study has been generated through the following methods: - Extensive use of ABS population Censuses - Conducting a number of focus groups - Initial interviews with people to pilot a comprehensive survey questionnaire - 200 completed survey questionnaires - Individual interviews The findings of this study enable a better understanding of the social circumstances of Muslim unemployment in Queensland. The research also identified a number of key issues relating to the employment status of Muslims in Queensland. Furthermore, a number of key strategies are suggested to alleviate unemployment rates among Muslims in Queensland. It is expected that these findings will assist government departments, the Muslim business sector, the Muslim community generally, and individual Muslims, to enhance their understanding of these complex issues. By applying the suggested strategies and recommendations, the likelihood of reducing the unemployment rate among Muslims in Queensland is rated positively.