An ESRI analysis has shown that black immigrants are nine times more likely to be unemployed than Irish nationals and are seven times more likely to be discriminated against when seeking a job.
The report says that non-Irish nationals living in Ireland are three times more likely to have experienced discrimination while looking for work than Irish nationals.
In addition, all migrants from non-English speaking countries face a higher risk of unemployment, and report greater difficulties in accessing employment.
Immigrants from English speaking countries do not differ in their reported experience of discrimination from Irish nationals, while those from non-English speaking countries do.
The report also says immigrants have a higher rate of unemployment than Irish nationals – 7.7% compared to 4.6%.
And black immigrants report more difficulties looking for work than all immigrants from other ethnic groups.
The ESRI said the figures show a need for a planned and pro-active public policy approach to integration as well as for systematic approaches to equality and integration by employers.
The Equality Authority added that new initiatives were needed to ensure migrants were aware of their rights under equality legislation.
Minister for integration Conor Lenihan said the finding that non-Irish nationals suffer a disadvantage compared to Irish nationals in the labour market is consistent with international findings on the labour market performance of immigrants.
However, he noted the finding that lack of language skills contributes to the disadvantage, and urged immigrants to avail of language training provided through the VECs.
