ABSTRACT
An analysis of the issue of the place of immigrant women in the French labour market and of the factors explaining their insertion into and their exclusion from this market necessitates an examination of certain basic assumptions. One of the reasons for the absence of research on immigrant women's labour market participation can be seen in the way in which research on immigration in general has developed in France. The characteristics of immigrant women's labour market position reflect above all their vulnerability. They are frequently restricted to unskilled and low paid jobs and are badly affected by job insecurity and unemployment. When considering the determinants of labour market activity there is a clear element of convergence between the trajectories of French women and immigrant women. The impact of legal discriminations can be seen through the legal entrance and residence status given to a migrant. The tertiarisation of the economy has resulted in a double dynamic in the labour market.
