Friday, April 20, 2018

ACTU – March Jobs Figures Show Rise in Insecure Work

19 April 2018

Labour force data released today shows that full-time work opportunities for Australians are declining, and being replaced by part-time and insecure work.

Full-time jobs decreased by 19,900 on a seasonally adjusted basis, and were replaced by 24,800 part time jobs.

With 40% of the workforce now facing one or more dimensions of insecurity in their work, the figures are further proof that the Turnbull Government has failed to deliver more secure jobs for working Australians.

The number of people unemployed has remained virtually static at 5.5%.

The numbers were released as ACTU modelling showed that a $50 increase to the minimum wage – the amount requested in the peak body’s submission to the Fair Work Commission – would create between 40,000 and 57,000 jobs in the first year of higher wages.

Quotes attributable to ACTU Secretary Sally McManus:

  • “Australians need more secure jobs. We cannot pay full-time bills with part-time pay.
  • “People who want full-time work are finding it harder than ever to get, and these figures illustrate that.
  • “The Turnbull Government could urge the Fair Work Commission to raise the minimum wage by $50 a week tomorrow, and create tens of thousands of jobs over the next year if they wanted to.
  • “The Turnbull Government is in denial. They’re focussed on their $65 billion big business tax handout, and they’re won’t acknowledge the nation-wide problem of insecure work and unfair pay.
  • “But we live in the real world with working people, and we know that Australia needs a pay rise, and we need more secure jobs.”


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