19 January 2000

UNEMPLOYMENT CONTINUES TO FALL – SAYS EMPEY

6,000 fewer people were unemployed between September and November compared with the same period last year, according to international Labour Force Survey figures released this morning.

Commenting on the results of the Northern Ireland Labour Force Survey, Sir Reg Empey said: "There are now 50,000 people, or 6.7% of the workforce unemployed, the lowest level since 1984 when the internationally agreed definition of unemployment was first introduced.

"I am pleased to say that this rate is now well below the EU average of 9.1% and closing on the Republic’s figure of 6.2%.

"The seasonally adjusted number claiming JobSeekers Allowance is also falling and now stands at 44,600, the lowest since May 1976. This is a drop of 1,000 over the month to December 1999 and the current unemployment rate from this source is 5.8%.

"And 9,000 more people are now in jobs compared to the same period last year, with the growth again being particularly strong in the 50+ age group.

"Manufacturing output has increased by 2.3% on the quarter, but with job losses and redundancies announced by several local companies recently, there is no room for complacency. We must continually strive to attract new investment to Northern Ireland and against stiff competition, look for new markets for our products.

"Those affected by job losses, need to be encouraged to retrain or find new work. The onus is on us all in a position to make a difference, to redouble our efforts to create the rate of economic growth which will help us stay ahead."

 

NOTE TO EDITORS

There are 738,000 people in Northern Ireland who are economically active ie they are either in employment or unemployed. There are a further 502,000 individuals aged 16+ defined as ‘economically inactive’, 61,000 of whom want employment but do not satisfy the full International Labour Organisation (ILO) job search criteria.