Thursday, August 6, 2009

[pima.nius] PR: Pacific Island unemployment continues at double the National rate

5:13 PM |

Pacific Island unemployment continues at double the National rate



Government inaction has resulted in unemployment for Pacific Island people continuing at more than double the national rate, Luamanuvao Winnie Laban says.

“In the last three months the national rate of unemployment rose from 5 percent to 6 percent, while the Pacific Island rate has for the second quarter in a row been double that national rate.

“The Pacific Island rate is 12.8 per cent meaning there are now nearly 11,000 Pacific Island people out of work, nearly double number from this time last year. I note in the last three months the Household Labour Force Survey says that Pacific Island unemployment decreased from 13.6 percent to 12.8 percent. Sadly the Government is predicting that there will be no further decreases and that up to another 40,000 people will lose their jobs.

“The overall increase is the highest quarterly increase since September 1988. There are now 138,000 people unemployed, an increase of 24,000 people in three months and many of them of Pacific Islanders.

“In my electorate we are increasingly seeing people who are struggling to afford even the basics and who urgently need help,†Winnie Laban said.

“Meanwhile the Minister of Pacific Island Affairs is missing in action. Last week she released her first statement in three months on employment.

“The Minister of Pacific Island Affairs should have unemployment as a priority yet she has said virtually nothing on the issue.

“Families are struggling and more and more Pacific Island people are losing their jobs. While the Government’s efforts to save jobs, through the nine day fortnight, have been a spectacular failure,†Winnie Laban said.

Contact:

Winnie Laban: 0272 709 041

<<Laban PI unemployment.doc>>

Vikki Carter


Press secretary
Office of Hon Phil Goff
Leader of the Opposition
04 817 9915
021 241 8466
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