Eye-opening Stats: Anti-Discrimination Inquiries Skyrocket to Record Highs
Anti-discrimination inquiries see unprecedented surge in numbers - Inquiry volume at anti-bias agencies hits record high
In a startling revelation, the Federal Anti-Discrimination Agency received over 11,400 inquiries last year, that's right, 11,400! - the highest number ever recorded in their history. This shocking figure was shared by the agency's commissioner, Ferda Ataman, during a presentation in Berlin.
Curious to know how this compares to previous years? Well, back in 2019, a mere 4,200 individuals sought their advice, while in the pre-pandemic year 2023, around 10,800 people reached out. To put things into perspective, the number of inquiries has nearly doubled since 2019!
Racism and Racial Discrimination: The Main Culprits
Interestingly, experiences with racism followed a whopping 43% of all inquiries last year. Take this eye-opening example for instance. A man, let's call him Mahmoud, with a foreign name, spent months searching for an apartment in Wuppertal without getting a single viewing. But when his friend Stefan applied for the same apartment, he was immediately invited for a viewing! The apartment, it seemed, was "already taken" for Mahmoud. Crazy, right?
Other Forms of Discrimination: A Deserving Mention
Disadvantages due to disabilities or chronic illnesses accounted for 27% of the cases, while approximately a quarter (24%) involved gender or gender identity discrimination. Ataman stated, "We see that women are particularly affected by gender-based discrimination, and the numbers are on the rise."
Where does discrimination occur the most? According to the report, the workplace was the most common setting, with 33% of cases happening during job searches or in the workplace itself.
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Ataman's Fierce Criticism: Loopholes in Anti-Discrimination Protection
Here's a surprising tidbit: More than 1,200 people complained about experiences with discrimination by state institutions such as offices, authorities, or the police! However, these cases fall outside the realm of anti-discrimination protection under the General Equal Treatment Act (AGG). Ataman strongly advocates for reforming the AGG to extend protection to these instances of discrimination.
Of the total inquiries last year, barely over 9,000 cases fell under the AGG. The remaining cases, unfortunately, do not enjoy the same anti-discrimination protection. Ataman clarified, "Not every unequal treatment is prohibited under the AGG."
Citizenship: The Forgotten Ground for Discrimination Protection
Background: The AGG guards against discrimination based on attributes like age, disability, gender, religion, and sexual orientation. However, citizenship has not been recognized as a basis for discrimination. For years, Ataman and other commissioners, such as the Anti-Semitism Commissioner, Felix Klein, have called for expanding the law to include citizenship as a protected ground.
It's clear that addressing discrimination comprehensively is becoming increasingly crucial in Germany. While the AGG may not yet cover citizenship, the rising number of complaints suggests that discrimination is growing more visible and reported. Any proposed changes to the AGG to include citizenship as a protected ground would require legislative action.
- The increasing number of inquiries about employment discrimination, as revealed by the Federal Anti-Discrimination Agency, underscores the need for a comprehensive review of both community policy and employment policy in Germany.
- As highlighted by Ferda Ataman, the commissioner of the Federal Anti-Discrimination Agency, the skyrocketing anti-discrimination inquiries, particularly those related to the workplace, emphasize the importance of politics and policy-and-legislation in addressing these issues and ensuring general news coverage.
