CTU Media Release
8 November 2012
175000 unemployed deserve support
Council of Trade Unions Secretary says Peter Conway the shocking jump in the unemployment rate to 7.3% shows the
government really must make jobs a priority.
Peter Conway says “7.3% unemployment is the highest rate we’ve seen since March 1999. The government needs to act on
jobs now.”
“There are now 175,000 people unemployed, 294,900 jobless and over 113,000 people looking for more hours at work. This
means that we have 400,000 people out of work or looking for more work. This is a national crisis.”
“Longterm unemployment is also growing with almost a third of unemployed people (32 percent) out of work for more than
six months, and the number out of work for more than a year almost twice what it was a year ago (21,100 compared to
10,900). People are struggling to find jobs, or enough hours to support their families – they deserve support and
deserve a government that cares and is prepared to do something to make jobs a priority.”
“These are not just numbers; they are people, and families. They deserve support and the government needs to give urgent
attention to the jobs plight now.”
ENDS