A/HRC/62/55/Add.1 56. States have an obligation to ensure that education systems are free from discrimination and promote equality in line with international human rights standards. The Special Rapporteur encourages Austria to continue and strengthen its ongoing efforts to ensure inclusive, equitable and anti-racist education systems, including through additional curriculum development, mandatory teacher training, improved monitoring of racist incidents and increased targeted support for affected students. 5. Labour market discrimination 57. Discrimination in the Austrian labour market, particularly affecting people of African descent, Muslims and Roma and Sinti persons, is of concern to the Special Rapporteur. During her visit, she heard from officials about how correspondence testing studies have demonstrated systemic barriers in hiring, with applicants perceived as “non-Austrian” repeatedly being disadvantaged in recruitment processes. These findings point to patterns of differential treatment at the earliest stages of labour market access and suggest structural discrimination. The Special Rapporteur also heard that many candidates from marginalized racial and ethnic groups are overqualified for the roles that they can secure within the workforce and feel that they must work significantly harder to be taken seriously and afforded equal opportunities for retention and promotion. 58. In 2023, the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights reported that 59% of people of African descent surveyed in Austria experienced discrimination in the job market when looking for work and 45% reported discrimination in their current employment. These figures are substantially higher than the European Union average. 13 Similarly, 52% of Muslim respondents to the most recent survey of the Agency in Austria reported experiencing discrimination in the workplace. 14 The Special Rapporteur noted with particular concern information indicating that Muslim women, especially those who wear headscarves, may experience intersecting forms of racial and gender-based discrimination, which can significantly restrict their access to employment and career advancement. 59. The Special Rapporteur welcomes the recognition of workplace discrimination by government officials at the federal and Länder levels, as well as the important work of equality bodies in addressing such issues. However, she emphasizes that addressing labour market discrimination requires a comprehensive approach that goes beyond formal legal protections. This includes proactive measures to promote diversity and inclusion, strengthen enforcement of anti-discrimination legislation, improve access to remedies, and address structural barriers that limit equal participation in the labour market. 60. The Special Rapporteur further highlights that the lack of disaggregated data on employment outcomes limits the ability to fully assess the extent and nature of racial disparities in the labour market. She recalls that States have an obligation to ensure equality in employment and occupation and encourages Austria to strengthen its efforts to combat racial discrimination in the labour market, including through targeted policies, effective monitoring and sustained engagement with affected communities. 6. Adequate housing 61. The Special Rapporteur was shocked by the findings of a 2023 study commissioned by the Ombud for Equal Treatment, which used two fictitious profiles: one that was likely to be perceived as having an “Austrian-sounding name” and one that was likely to be perceived as having a “Muslim/foreign-sounding” name. Both had identical, strong financial and employment qualifications. The results showed a stark disparity in access to apartment viewings: the first fictitious applicant received an appointment in 100% of cases, while the second received an appointment in only 50% of cases. These findings point to clear and systemic discrimination at the initial stages of access to housing and suggest that racial and ethnic bias plays a significant role in decision-making processes within the private market. This study mirrors the findings of the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights, which indicate that Austria has among the highest reported levels of housing discrimination 13 14 European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights, Being Black in the EU. European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights, Being Muslim in the EU. 15