Background to the Research

• The mass immigration of Indians to Britain occurred in the 1950s and 1960s. The main attraction of higher wages and job vacancies in the British manufacturing industry being synchronised with the availability of cheaper travel from India made Great Britain an attractive option. Moreover, those participating in initial mass migration were diverse in terms of social and economic status, thus providing Britain with a welcome supply of skilled and unskilled labour.
• Economic recession in the 1970s led to legislation that restricted immigration for many, and gradually immigration from India became 'professionalised'. This meant that the government became more selective in allowing entry into the country, for instance doctors and other professionals were given preference over labourers.
• The 1991 Census revealed that there were 840,000 Indians living in Britain, the largest ethnic minority group. In comparison, in 1995 there were 295 households and just over 1000 members of the Indian community in Northern Ireland.
• Most of the original settlers in Northern Ireland came from northern India, from the states of Punjab and Gujarat, although some did come from southern areas. The Indian community show relative longevity. There are Indians living in Northern Ireland who have been here for over 60 years.
• A recent survey, carried out in Northern Ireland, revealed that 78 per cent of Indians who reside in the Province are Hindu, 7 per cent Sikh, 5 per cent Islam and 3 per cent Christian.
• The Indian community, like the general population, has been exposed to political violence in Northern Ireland, the early 1970s in particular saw a number of Indian restaurants being destroyed by terrorist bombs. Ironically, many settlers came to Northern Ireland to escape the communal conflict in India, and what was later to become Pakistan (after 1947).
• The chapter highlights the generally positive assimilation of the Indian community into Northern Irish society. Topics for discussion include; immigration, demography, employment, and social mobility. Although Indians are the largest ethnic minority group in Britain, numbering 840,000 (1991 Census), they and other ethnic minority groups, make up only one per cent of the total population.
  

Research Approach

• Two quantitative surveys are used primarily to inform this case study. The surveys were carried out in 1995-1996 by the author of this chapter (Greg Irwin), and S. Dunn (Ethnic Minorities in Northern Ireland). The survey data was used because in the Census of Population for Northern Ireland in 1991 there was no question on ethnic origin. Other sources of secondary data, such as academic literature and government reports are used; however, they are merely to augment the findings from the survey data. The term 'Indian community' in the study is used as a generic label to denote those who have classified themselves as being of Indian ethnic origin.
  

Main Findings

• There is a need for further culturally sensitive research to illustrate the diversities within Northern Ireland's ethnic minority communities and enhance our understanding of them.
• Some economic indicators show that the Indian community may be regarded as among one of the more prosperous sections of the population in Northern Ireland. They are certainly better off than other minority groups in the Province.
• Home ownership of 84% in Northern Ireland (82% in Britain) is compared to 66 per cent of the white population. There are only 3% who reside in public rented accommodation. Most of the Indian population of Northern Ireland is located in two main areas; the North-West and Belfast.
• Indians have a high rate of employment and are more likely than the general population to be self-employed and less likely to be in part-time work.
• More than 60% have obtained managerial/professional occupational status compared to 25% of the general population.
• Educational attainment of Indians is superior with 37% of Indians questioned having achieved a degree qualification compared to 6% of the general population.
• Population growth is markedly higher amongst the Indian community. Between 1984-1992 the Indian population growth rate was 3.4% compared to 0.6% in the total population.

Conclusion

• The Indian community in Northern Ireland, as in Great Britain, is, on the whole, economically successful. A lot of this success is attributed to the entrepreneurial nature and hard work of the Indian community, for example in catering, clothing and textiles where many own their businesses. There are also those that occupy high status jobs in commerce and the health service. However, some Indians are extremely sceptical about the positive effect of race relation legislation in recent years, and feel that their position in society could be challenged if more attention is given to them. Indeed, some argue that there is a danger of increasing racial bigotry by introducing new race relations legislation. This finding is in stark contrast to most other ethnic minority groups in Northern Ireland who have fought for equality and have tried to highlight the need for further race relations legislation.