Precarious migrant entrepreneurship: gendered in-work poverty for new migrants in the UK

Abstract

This research project examines whether self-employment leads to social and occupational mobility for migrant entrepreneurs or traps them in low-value, low-pay sectors. The project focuses on the gendered experiences of work, highlighting the implications for men and women in precarious self-employment (low-paid/low-valued) and the support available to them. Previous studies have found that entrepreneurship for migrants can offer an alternative source of employment to overcome racialised discrimination in the labour market and achieve self-realisation and positive integration in the countries of settlement. Advantages of working self-employed include being able to escape precarious paid employment, fulfil professional aspirations, and have more independence and control in daily work life. However, previous research has also shown that migrant entrepreneurs make paltry returns on their businesses. This may lead to them experiencing ‘in-work’ poverty. While in-work poverty has been studied in terms of paid employment, there is little research on this area linked to business activity and less on migrant entrepreneurship