Archive 2024

Here you will find selected reports on events organized by us and the work on projects in 2024.

Pay dependent on country of origin? Conference discusses results of a study on the migrant gender pay gap

On the occasion of the twelfth German Diversity Day on May 28, 2024, the IQ Network Hamburg hosted a symposium at Bucerius Law School entitled "Fair Migration – Fair Pay." Presentations and panel discussions explored the causes of the so-called migrant pay gap and discussed the issues. The discussion was based on the report prepared by the IQ Network Hamburg in collaboration with the IQ Immigration and Integration Office. Study “Fair Migration – Migrant Gender Pay Gap”, The study, which evaluated data from the Federal Employment Agency for seven occupational groups, shows that people with foreign citizenship earn less on average than their German colleagues. The reasons for this are manifold. This was demonstrated in the presentation by Dr. Sekou Keita from the Institute for Employment Research (IAB). Dr. Keita pointed out the open questions: "How much is due to differences in professional qualifications? How much to other factors such as childcare? And what role does discrimination play? That remains unclear."

Migrants would also more often work in less well-paid jobsnd sectors and work in small businesses that pay lower wages than large companies. According to the IAB study, the lack of access to networks and the lack of recognition of qualifications acquired abroad also have a disadvantage when it comes to accessing (well-paid) jobs. This is where the IQ project "Women's Network Perspective Professional Recognition" (PebeA) comes in. The project advises and supports immigrant women on their path to recognition and connects them with each other. Olga D'Attoma, PebeA project coordinator at the ASM organization, reported that 150 women have been advised since the project began in early 2023, 104 of whom have now submitted their documents to the relevant authorities with the aim of obtaining professional recognition.

One of the women supported by PeBeA is Kateryna Waterstradt, who comes from Ukraine. "I have a master's degree and 15 years of professional experience, including a management position as a general accountant. But I learned that my achievements, successes, and expertise aren't relevant in Germany. Therefore, a recognized degree is very important to me." After eight months, her academic degree was finally recognized as a diploma, but she had already found work at a tax firm. "I found an employer who recognized my knowledge and skills even without a degree. But in the beginning, I sometimes had to explain that my work met the standards of my colleagues."

PebeA project manager Marion Wartumjan emphasized that the resourcesThe participants' ideas are always included in the project. Waterstradt also participates in events organized by the women's network as a rule model, and thanks to her support, two other project participants were able to start working for their employers. The conference also discussed the Wage Transparency Act. "We are committed to ensuring that wages are discussed," said Beate Spyrou, head of the IQ Network Hamburg. The law could be an important step toward eliminating wage inequality.