Study exposes deep-rooted anti-Muslim discrimination in Switzerland
New study highlights inequalities in employment and education, with Muslim women facing unique challenges
GENEVA, Switzerland (MNTV) – Discrimination against Muslims in Switzerland has rarely been the focus of in-depth analysis, but recent research is bringing this overlooked issue to the forefront.Â
The report, Anti-Muslim Racism in Switzerland was unveiled by the Swiss Center for Islam and Society at the University of Fribourg, reports newspaper Yabiladi.
The 80-page study examines key areas such as access to employment and education, revealing that discrimination is often compounded by gender and perceived ethnic background.Â
These overlapping biases create significant barriers for Muslims in various aspects of Swiss society.
Workplace discrimination: The most affected sector
According to Switzerland’s Service for Combating Racism (SLR), 69% of individuals who reported racial discrimination in 2022 experienced it in their professional life or during job searches.Â
Public spaces (30%) and schools (27%) were other common settings for such incidents.
Muslim job seekers often face unfair hiring practices, workplace harassment, and wage disparities.Â
Testing with fictitious applications revealed significant bias against candidates with Turkish or Kosovar names, often associated with Muslim identity, regardless of their self-declared faith.
The study points to widespread hiring discrimination in both French- and German-speaking regions of Switzerland.Â
Research shows that candidates with non-Swiss names may pass the initial hiring stage but encounter bias in subsequent communication, including delayed or dismissive responses.
Muslims in Switzerland face an unemployment rate 2.4 times higher than the national average.Â
While factors such as education and language skills influence employment opportunities, the report finds that religious bias remains a significant barrier.Â
Even Swiss citizenship does not eliminate this discrimination.
Interestingly, higher education does not reduce this disadvantage. While vocational qualifications slightly mitigate bias, discrimination increases for Muslim university graduates.Â
Researchers suggest that top-tier positions are often reserved for individuals with similar cultural backgrounds, excluding Muslim professionals.
Unique challenges for Muslim women
The study reveals that anti-Muslim discrimination is particularly gendered.Â
Muslim women, especially those wearing the hijab, encounter distinct forms of bias.Â
Unlike men’s religious head coverings, the hijab is often perceived as a controversial symbol, leading to heightened prejudice.
A cited German study found that veiled women with Turkish names had to submit 4.5 times more job applications than their non-veiled counterparts to receive comparable employer interest.Â
In Switzerland, veiled women face similar challenges, particularly in securing apprenticeships or positions within small and medium-sized businesses.
Larger corporations, which often implement diversity policies, show slightly lower levels of bias.Â
However, Muslim women remain disproportionately disadvantaged in the labor market.
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