CTU Media Release
15 March 2012
Where is the ‘more jobs’ target?
CTU is concerned that targets are going to be set to reduce beneficiary numbers but there is no mention about creating
new jobs, said CTU Economist Bill Rosenberg.
“The state has a role in creating jobs and promoting employment but this isn’t reflected in the targets, with no mention
of investment, or targets for job creation. In fact there is a policy of confirming fewer public sector jobs in the
Prime Minister’s speech.”
“The number of jobless is now 261,300. The employment situation for young people has worsened. The proportion of 15-24
year olds not in employment, education or training in December had risen from 12.4 percent to 13.1 percent from
September. Where is the target to get these people into employment? A target of reducing the number of beneficiaries is
not the same thing as creating jobs for people to go into.”
“No one would argue with the need for action on health and education but our concern is what is missing - action on job
creation. Programmes like Task Force Green, Community Max and Job Opportunities haven’t done enough. We need more action
on jobs from the government. They seem to be content to live with current levels of unemployment which have been around
since 2009,” said Rosenberg.
ENDS