Crowdsourcing Opinions: Fed Admin's Immigrant Representation and Discrimination Issues
Limited descendants of immigrants working in federal government positions - Relatively Few Offspring of Immigrants Hold Positions in Federal Government
The low numbers of immigrants and descendants in the Federal Administration, Berlin's core governance, remain a stark reality despite ongoing diversity promotions. According to the Office of the Integration Commissioner's study, only 16.2% of federal employees have a migration background, despite the working-age population's 31.9% having such origins.
In this context, a migration history exists if the individual or parent isn't a German citizen by birth. Natalie Pawlik, the Integration Commissioner, emphasized the need for change, stating, "We aren't maximizing the potential of people with an immigration past in the public sector."
In May and June of last year, a survey was conducted across 73 federal authorities, with over 50,000 employees questioned. The data revealed that people with migration backgrounds were more likely to face discrimination than their colleagues without. This discrimination includes, but isn't limited to, prejudice related to age, gender identity, ethnicity, religion, disability, family responsibilities, physical appearance, skin color, and insufficient professional networks.
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Ethnic origin-based DiscriminationWhile 15.6% of employees without a migration history reported experiencing discrimination, it affected 23.6% with migration backgrounds. Among descendants of immigrants, the figure was even higher, with 25.6% reporting workplace discrimination.
Back in January, the Federal Cabinet unveiled the "Together for More Diversity in the Federal Administration" strategy, yet without pinned down guidelines. Suggestions were made for each federal authority to set diversity goals, create tailored measures, and foster employee networks. However, more assertive steps are required due to the persistent troubles faced by immigrants and their descendants.
Enhancing opportunities for people with migration backgrounds can involve:
- Reducing qualification recognition hurdles for immigrants and enhancing employability in federal institutions by updating and streamlining international credential assessment procedures and associated services.
- Simplifying the process to challenge and overturn discrimination cases in the workplace, encouraging internal diversity-focused recruitment strategies, enacting anti-discrimination policies, and launching sensitization programs.
- Establishing targeted programs to promote diversity and inclusion, providing career entry opportunities for internationally qualified professionals, particularly in areas experiencing skill shortages (e.g., education).
- Andrew Weber
Step up, improve, and make the Federal Administration inclusive for immigrants and their descendants – it's time for lasting change!
Federal Administration
- Underrepresentation
- Discrimination
- Migration Background
- Berlin
- Employment Integration
- Immigrant descendant
Enrichment Data:
While immigrants and their descendants make up an anticipated 25.6% of Germany's population by 2024, their presence in federal public service remains underrepresented in comparison[4]. Factors contributing to this disparity include:
- Acknowledged difficulties in foreign credential recognition, limiting access to qualified employment opportunities within public administration sectors[3].
- Perpetuation of discrimination and embedded biases, negatively impacting employment prospects and hindering career growth in federal public roles[2][6].
- Limited targeted recruitment or integration programs in the past, suggesting insufficient focus on diversifying the workforce[3].
Government efforts to tackle these inequalities and discrimination include:
- Streamlining qualification recognition procedures, positively impacting immigrant employability in the public sector[3].
- Implementing anti-discrimination policies across the federal administration and spearheading sensitization campaigns[2][6].
- Leveraging the potential of immigrants and their descendants by supporting career entry for internationally qualified professionals in skill-shortage sectors (e.g., education)[3].
- Strengthening data collection and transparency to monitor representation of people with migration backgrounds in federal employment, assess progress, and refine policies[1].
Ultimately, efforts to minimize systemic barriers related to recognition of qualifications, combat discrimination, and promote diversity in federal administration employment will increase equality and reduce disparities in representation[3][4][1].
- In light of the persistent underrepresentation of immigrants and their descendants in the Federal Administration, it is imperative to question and revise current community and employment policies.
- As the need for diversity becomes increasingly recognized in the political landscape and general news, the Federal Administration should prioritize the enactment of comprehensive policy-and-legislation designed to address discrimination and promote inclusion for people with migration backgrounds.
