Job stats worst on record

TASMANIA’S unenviable record of underemployment has spiralled into a seventh month, according to the latest labour force figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

In January, 11.2 per cent of the state’s workforce was being underused in terms of skills, experience and availability to work — the worst rate in Australia since records began 42 years ago.

Tasmania first set a new national record in July last year, with 10.7 per cent, and that figure has continued to climb almost every month since.

Labour that falls under the underemployment classification includes those workers who are highly skilled but working in low-paying or lowskilled jobs, and part-time workers who would prefer to be full-time.

This is different from unemployment in that the individual is working, but is not working at full capability. Unions Tasmania

secretary Jessica Munday said she had been “sounding the alarm” on underemployment for several years.

“It is largely the result of the deregulation of the employment market and the decision by policymakers to allow an explosion in casual work,” she said.

“Couple that with a lack of investment in vocational training and it’s a recipe for disaster.”

Ms Munday called on the

State Government, as a major employer and procurer of services, to set the standard and lead by example for the private sector.

Labor jobs spokeswoman Michelle O’Byrne said underemployment was having a devastating impact on 30,500 Tasmanians, with many finding it harder than ever to get enough work to make ends meet.

“Underemployment in Tasmania today is the worst it has ever been, at any time, in any state or territory,” Ms O’Byrne said

“That means too many people cannot get the hours they need to get by. It means too many people are finding it harder to get a mortgage and are lacking the security that comes with full-time work.”

However, Premier Peter Gutwein said the government’s long-term plan to grow the economy and create jobs was working, with the ABS figures confirming 21,100 jobs had been created since 2014.

“The fact is, there are more Tasmanians in work than ever before,” he said.

“For the tenth month in a row, our state’s employment figures have reached record highs, with more than 256,000 Tasmanians now in work, in trend terms.

“Tasmania had the highest employment growth rate in the country, with employment growing 3.5 per cent over the year to January 2020, highlighting the importance of a strong economy.”