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Stop ignoring my advice on racism at work or I quit, says taskforce boss
Tom Lawrence7 Sep 2009
The chairman of a government race taskforce today vowed to resign if ministers continue to ignore his views about racism in the workplace.
Iqbal Wahhab said that despite heading the Ethnic Minority Advisory Group for three years, not one of its recommendations was put in place.
He said he will quit in six weeks if the taskforce's latest suggestion, that companies bidding for public contracts should disclose employees' ethnic background, is not followed through.
The frustrated restaurateur, who chairs the taskforce in his spare time, said: "I feel like I am banging my head against a brick wall. I am now questioning my role and asking myself if I am wasting my time.
"The Government obviously set the group up to show it was doing something about employment disparity between races, but it seems to be all talk and no action."
Mr Wahhab, founder of London's Cinnamon Club and Roast restaurants, said five ministers have co-chaired the task force since he has been involved, yet none had been convinced to take any steps forward.
He said: "They constantly change, so even when we do get a commitment to a recommendation there is no consistency in the delivery.
"Nothing really seems to happen and once you have formed a good relationship with a minister they tend to move on so you are back to square one."
The successful businessman was invited to chair the group in 2006 to discuss ways of reducing the growing numbers of black and Asian job seekers who are discriminated against.
However, despite quarterly meetings with a team of seven ministers including employment supremo Jim Knight, Mr Wahhab has been frustrated by lack of progress and believes the country will never come close to eradicating the problem.
His frustration came to a head in July, when the Treasury scuppered plans to ask firms to disclose the racial make-up of their workforce while bidding for public contracts.
He said: "I put a lot of my own time into the taskforce and so do 30 other people.
"If the Government doesn't want to take positive decisions to make the workplace a level playing field then I'm not sure what we are there for."
Mr Knight confirmed he would meet Mr Wahhab later in the month.
He said: "The taskforce plays an important role in helping people get into and stay in work.
"One way to do this is to look at how we can help firms applying for government contracts to ensure their workforce reflects their community. We are looking at how feasible this is.
"Iqbal Wahhab is doing a valuable and important job advising the Government on these issues."
Reader views (6)
Many committees and panels are simply symbolic and set up to APPEASE some 'offended' group, or to make others 'feel good' about some perceived problem. They waste energy (time, money) and are should be aggressively culled.
- Trunk, US, 08/09/2009 02:07
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Three years doing a job that has produced nothing - that sounds pretty familiar under a Labour administration. Could it be the quality of his 'work' that is at fault? Let's face it, even if he was the worst make-work employee under the Sun, his job would be safe under his current bosses GB and Co.
- Rogan, Irving, 07/09/2009 19:20
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Bye bye then, don't slam the door on the way out!
The ONLY criteria that employers should have to concern themsleves with are the legality and suitability of employees for their given role.
- Keith Lonsdale, Doncaster, 07/09/2009 14:57
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exactly my argument the reason I left the U,K, who, country is it not mine for sure. god help the sinking ship
- Basil, bussiere poitevine 87320 france, 07/09/2009 14:34
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I listened to Mr Wahhab on the radio this morning and I was not at all surprised that this idea has not been implemented. As someone running a small business, we need an additional load of red tape like this like we need a hole in the head. Also, the consequences from requirements of this legislation could lead to justified accusations of racism. For example, if a company wanted to bid for public sector work need to increase its representation from a particular ethnic minority, for example Asians , and rejected applications for employment from other groups that would be racism. This idea of trying to promote equality, effectively through quotas has never worked and simply breeds resentment amongst other groups and reduce the chance of a level playing field.
Where I do fully agree with Mr Wahhab is the revolving door policy when it comes to Ministerial appointments. Ministers appear to be shuffled on a political whim, with little if any apparent regard to the disruption these changes cause outside the Westminster village.
- Very Very Angry At Paying Tax For Mp'S Expeses, Home Counties, 07/09/2009 12:57
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This govt. has a speciality in ignoring facts and advice. The fact that they routinely set up committees for this and that and pay individuals, is meaningless. So long as they shovel taxpayers money at all the quango's, especially on sensitive areas, is enough to make them feel PC and that they're 'on the job' and tackling things.
They've set back race relations in a big way, with so many stupid policies. Or just by drifting and resolutely turning their back on serious problems. As they do on mounting social problems in Britain. As in education and schools in Britain. Our government is a shambles.
- John Smith, London, 07/09/2009 10:34
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