No fall in unemployment figures - INOU express serious concern

28 Nov 2000

The Irish National Organisation of the Unemployed has described today's Quarterly National Household Survey, which measured unemployment at 4.3% for the second consecutive quarter, as a 'very worrying trend'. " This is the first time since the QNHS measurement was brought in that unemployment has not fallen. Despite the fact that the labour market grew by 70,000 people in the last quarter, unemployment increased by nearly 3,000 and the unemployment rate stayed at 4.3%." said Tony Monks, General Secretary of the INOU.

"We are extremely concerned that many of those who were unemployed in the last quarter are still out of work, and that many new people are becoming unemployed. We believe that a full employment society is achievable in Ireland. Full employment is where there is no long-term unemployment, and where anyone who wants to work can find a decent job within a reasonable amount of time.

"Today's figures show that there is a potential workforce of 156,000 people *. That is people who are unemployed, people who are underemployed, and people who want to work but can't take up a job offer because, for example, they cannot afford childcare.

"If this Government is truly committed to creating full employment then they need to show this commitment in the budget next Wednesday. They need to deliver a decent dole increase, take minimum wage workers out of the tax net, and give a childcare payment that benefits people who are looking for work and the low paid. Without all of these measures, the Government will shirk its responsibility to the people who want to work but are being left behind."
Ends.

Further information
Tony Monks, General Secretary  087 249 6066
Noeleen Hartigan, Press Officer  087 616 7689 / 01 856 0088
*Table 11, pg 14 QNHS