Gender and ethnicity-based employment discrimination

Authors

  • Endalkachew Kabtamu Mekonen PhD Student, Department of Economics, University of Messina, Piazza Pugliatti 1, Messina 98122, Italy
  • Giovanni Busetta Department of Economics, University of Messina, Piazza Pugliatti 1, Messina 98122, Italy
  • Fabio Fiorillo Department of Economics and Social Sciences, Marche Polytechnic University, Piazzale R. Martelli 8, 60121 Ancona, Italy

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.71014/sieds.v80i1.442

Abstract

Discrimination leads equally productive workers to receive unequal treatment in the labor market. Our study examines gender and ethnicity-based employment discrimination in Ethiopia. We conducted a field experiment using résumés drawn from a pool of real job applicants balanced by gender and ethnicity, which were randomly assigned to evaluators for hiring decisions. The results reveal that women and ethnic minority candidates have lower employment opportunities compared to men and the ethnic majority candidates. Gender and ethnicity have additive effects on employment outcomes, rather than interacting to generate a compounding disadvantage. The findings provide valuable insights for policies aimed at closing gender and ethnic hiring gaps. In particular, our study emphasizes the importance of robust anti-discrimination policies in effectively addressing these inequalities.

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Published

2026-02-06

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Vol. LXXX-1 January-March 2026

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Copyright (c) 2026 Endalkachew Kabtamu Mekonen, Giovanni Busetta, Fabio Fiorillo

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