Marginalized communities face many barriers when accessing the labour market. This was true before the COVID-19 pandemic and, unfortunately, securing meaningful employment in Canada has now become even more challenging.
As we continue to observe and experience the complex economic and social impacts of the pandemic, we see the disproportionate impact on women, racialized individuals, and other disadvantaged communities. Among those impacted are South Asian women, who are finding it increasingly difficult to successfully secure or retain meaningful employment.
They are often compelled to take ‘survival’ jobs that may be far below their skill and experience levels. During the pandemic, they have been disproportionately affected by job loss, as they are overrepresented in hard-hit industries such as food and accommodation services, and as essential workers in precarious sectors and jobs.
