Weakness in employment growth continued through the last
quarter of 2011 and the outlook for New Zealand's labour
market recovery remaining "gradual", ASB economist Jane
Turner said.
New Zealand's unemployment rate unexpectedly rose in the
third quarter, with little evidence the start of the Rugby
World Cup drove an increase in casual workers to service the
wave of tourists.
Dole rules look set to get stricter with the Government
signalling a crackdown on fraud and considering a shorter
reapplication period for the benefit.
The labour market
continues to steadily improve, judging from figures released
yesterday. But an industry group is warning that cheap
imports are costing local jobs.
BNZ economist Stephen Toplis says the state of New Zealand's labour market is causing him a considerable degree of angst. Business editor Dene Mackenzie investigates the concerns.
Canterbury has bucked the national jobless figures trend, the
region showing a spike in the number of people on the
unemployment benefit while nationally numbers are down.
About
300,000 welfare beneficiaries who are judged to be capable of
work will face a day of reckoning tomorrow when the
Government receives a report that recommends they be forced
to look for jobs.
The unemployment rate rose to 6.8% in the December quarter
from 6.4% in the three months to September, as the number of
people in work fell and the number unemployed rose.
