Inequalities between Catholics and Protestants as well as between men and women are still endemic in the North, the Agriculture Minister, Ms Brid Rodgers, has told a seminar organised by the Omagh Women's Network.
Income differentials between men and women remained at 20 per cent in average earnings, she said.
"Many women's careers remain underdeveloped due to inadequate childcare provision. Minority ethnic communities, people with disabilities and older people all face considerable disadvantage in the workplace, which constitutes an appalling waste of human talent as well as injustice. Catholics remain significantly more likely to be unemployed than Protestants, a differential that cannot be ignored by government."