June 4, 2008
Study: Somalis in Lewiston lack stable jobs
The majority of Somali immigrants in Lewiston lack stable jobs, possibly because of language and cultural barriers, according to a new study from the Maine State Planning Office.
Between 2001 and 2006, only 10% of Somalis in Lewiston had stable jobs, meaning they stayed with one employer for at least a year. The study said the Somali immigrants may jump from job to job because they don't speak English well or lack certain skills, but it cautioned that more study is needed to fully understand the trend.
The report was completed May 6 and presented to the public yesterday at a meeting of the Androscoggin County Chamber of Commerce. It's the state's first study of employment patterns of the nearly 2,000 Somalis that have arrived in Lewiston since 2001.
Between 2001 and 2006, only 10% of Somalis in Lewiston had stable jobs, meaning they stayed with one employer for at least a year. The study said the Somali immigrants may jump from job to job because they don't speak English well or lack certain skills, but it cautioned that more study is needed to fully understand the trend.
The report was completed May 6 and presented to the public yesterday at a meeting of the Androscoggin County Chamber of Commerce. It's the state's first study of employment patterns of the nearly 2,000 Somalis that have arrived in Lewiston since 2001.
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