Chch Hard hit by unemployment

Press, 7 June 1980, Page 1

Chch Hard hit by unemployment

Unemployment m Christchurch is the worst it has been, at this time of the year than in any other year except 1978, when it reached a level higher than at any time since the 1930 s Depression. At May 16 there were 3616 people, registered with the Labour Department as unemployed. By May 30, the latest figure available, there had been a 12.5 per cent increase, bringing the number to 4134, the highest since the peak - of July, 1978, when 4476 were registered as unemployed.With its- increase of 518 registered unemployed, Christchurch has suffered more than any other of

the 12 employment districts. By May 30 there were 29,895 registered unemployed in New Zealand. The normal seasonal outflow of labour explains why there has been an . in- - crease in the numbers of unemployed in the. last few weeks, but it does no.t<. explain why there are.' about 300 more registered unemployed now than in Jhe same period last year. The explanation for the rise in unemployment figures .this autumn compared with those for last autumn could be that more companies in Christ-. church have had to reduce staff ■

With 3870 people on job-creation programmes in' Christchurch, there are now just over 8000 either registered unemployed or on temporary work. The total is expected to increase in the next few ' week's as more freezing works and other seasonal industries pay off their workers for the winter. Registered unemployed within the -circulation district of “The Press” at May 30 (with May 16 figures in parenthesis) were: Blenheim, 444 (437); Nelson, 763 (767); Greymouth, 303 (288);. Christchurch, 4134 (3616); Timaru, 482 (382). Totals 29,895 (29,163).