Tech sector still lacks diversity

The tech. sector remains very white, according to the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). In a special report on diversity in the high tech. industry, the EEOC found that people of color are still under-represented in the sector.

“Compared with all industries reported in the 2014 EEO-1 private sector survey,” the report found, “overall participation rates of whites, Asian Americans, and males in U.S high tech industries were disproportionally higher, especially in the Silicon Valley geographic area.” African-Americans, Hispanics, and women remain under-represented in the tech. sector, especially in white collar occupations.

Compare these numbers to diversity rates in other areas of the telecommunications industry. According to Current Population Survey data, Hispanics make up 11 percent of the wireline workforce and 12 percent of the wireless. African Americans make up 14 percent of wireline positions and 12 percent of wireless-related positions.

Lawmakers are taking notice. The Congressional Black Caucus sent a letter to Labor Secretary Perez highlighting the tech. sectors lack of diversity, noting that many government contractors violate diversity and veteran requirements and encouraging the Department of Labor to advance African-America diversity in the sector. "African Americans are not afforded the same opportunities to compete as their White counterparts in the technology sector," the lawmakers said in the letter. "This leads us to believe that the vast majority of technology companies holding government contracts are in violation of Title 41 of the Code of Federal Regulations, a violation that should be addressed with the utmost urgency."

Links:

Diversity in High Tech (EEOC, May 25, 2016)

Black lawmakers want Labor to push tech on diversity (The Hill, May 25, 2016)

Congressional Black Caucus letter to Labor Secretary Perez (US House, May 25, 2016)