8 February 2006
Employment figures remain positive
The Council of Trade Unions is pleased with the latest figures on employment, which show unemployment has remained at a
low level.
The latest Household Labour Force Survey, released today, shows unemployment standing at 3.6% in the December quarter, a
drop of 0.1% from the adjusted figures from last quarter. The figures include a slight fall in participation and in
total hours worked, and show a slower rate of employment growth.
"The next Survey in early May will give us a better indication as to whether the recent announcements of redundancies
are having a widespread effect on unemployment generally," said Peter Conway, Council of Trade Unions Economist.
"While the unemployment figures remain low, today's data shows us that there are still 78,000 people unemployed, and
145,000 people jobless. Further, while the pakeha unemployment rate is 2.5%, Maori levels of unemployment are much
higher at 7.6, and pacific people at 6.2%," said Peter Conway.
"The Council of Trade Unions calls for continued efforts from government agencies to maintain an active approach in
assisting those who have been put out of work through support in areas like retraining and relocation," said Peter
Conway.
ENDS