Who we are
Overall, people from ethnic minority backgrounds are less likely to find and sustain employment than their white counterparts – and this disadvantage has persisted for more than two decades.
The Ethnic Minority Employment Stakeholder Group (EMESG) provides advice to Government on issues related to the disadvantaged individuals from ethnic minority backgrounds face in relation to the labour market.
While the EMESG are supported by the Department for Work and Pensions, their role is to:
- act as a "critical friend": identifying problems facing ethnic minority jobseekers and employees, gaps in provision, and other areas of concern that Government may need to address
- respond to Government consultations in order to ensure that policy developments adequately reflect the ethnic minority employment agenda
- give feedback on the practical implications of delivering policy and how improvements can be made.
Initially formed as the Ethnic Minority Stakeholder Group in 2003 to give the ethnic minority voluntary sector a voice in Government, the Group changed its name to EMAG in 2006. EMAG refreshed its membership in 2010 and has recently been reconstituted as the EMESG. Members are volunteers from a range of backgrounds and regions across Great Britain. Membership is by application and vacancies are advertised on this website. New members are appointed by the Chair in consultation with the Department for Work and Pensions, who sponsor the Group by providing secretariat support.
From 1 October 2012 EMAG was reconstituted as the Ethnic Minority Employment Stakeholder Group (EMESG).
As the group is being re-focused, and there has been a review of the Terms of Reference and ways of working.