CTU media release
7 May 2009

Worrying trends in unemployment figures

The CTU says that although unemployment at 5 percent, or 115,000 people, is less than many had forecast at this time, there are some worrying trends in the figures.

Youth unemployment is at 19.6 percent, for those aged 20-24 years it is 12 percent, Maori unemployment is 11.9 percent and Pacific peoples at 13.1 percent.

Unemployment in the Auckland region is at 6.5 percent, 7.8 percent in Gisborne/Hawkes Bay and 9 percent in Northland.

In addition, employment has decreased by 24,000, the jobless number has increased to 224,100, and the number of those unemployed for more than 6 months is up by 9,000.

CTU Secretary Peter Conway says that the recent spate of redundancies and forecasts point to unemployment going higher over the next year. “Although these figures released today are lower than some expected it is important that everything is done to head off the rise in unemployment. This should include: direct investment in job-rich projects across infrastructure, home insulation and environmental work; more support from government procurement for the domestic economy, and; greater assistance for those laid off including training opportunities”.

ENDS

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