Increase in Average Total Hourly Earnings

Quarterly Employment Survey - May 1999 quarter

Average total hourly earnings increased by 0.6 per cent between February 1999 and May 1999 to reach $17.72, latest figures from Statistics New Zealand show. This increase was driven by three industry groups: health and community services, education, and property and business services.

Average total hourly earnings increased by 2.4 per cent in the year to May 1999. This compares with an increase of 2.9 per cent in the year to February 1999. This is the lowest annual increase since May 1995 when average total hourly earnings increased 2.1 per cent.

Private sector average ordinary time hourly earnings rose by 0.7 per cent between February 1999 and May 1999. This compares with an increase of 0.3 per cent between November 1998 and February 1999. The annual increase to May 1999 in average ordinary time hourly earnings in the private sector was 2.3 per cent. This is the lowest annual increase in average ordinary time hourly earnings since May 1995 (also 2.3 per cent).

Public sector average ordinary time hourly earnings dropped 0.3 per cent between February 1999 and May 1999. In comparison, between November 1998 and February 1999 there was an increase of 1.3 per cent. The annual increase to May 1999 in average ordinary time hourly earnings in the public sector was 2.2 per cent. This is the lowest annual increase in average ordinary time hourly earnings since February 1996 (also 2.2 per cent).

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