Fed: Steady unemployment sign stimulus is working: Gillard =6

AAP General News (Australia)
08-06-2009
Fed: Steady unemployment sign stimulus is working: Gillard =6

Ms Gillard said it appeared that employers were substituting part-time jobs for full-time jobs.

"That is a reflection of the fact that many employers, working cooperatively with employees
and with trade unions, are striking innovative arrangements to keep people attached to
work during these difficult days."

The deputy prime minister said it was better for bosses to keep staff rather than face
a skills shortage when the economy recovered.

"I think employers from past economic downturns have concluded that it can be better
for business than losing staff today, only to need to recruit new skilled staff and not
being able to find them when the economy turns to growth," she said.

Ms Gillard said the unemployed would have the opportunity to retrain.

"The government will continue its massive investment in training to ensure that for
those people who do find themselves out of work have an opportunity to learn new skills
that will serve them well when the economy improves," she said.

The minister said Australia's jobless rate of 5.8 per cent would have been worse if
the government had not put in place stimulus programs.

"This is a better than expected result in the face of the worst global recession in
more than 75 years," Ms Gillard said.

"There is no doubt that without decisive action, unemployment in this country would
be much worse."

The government's stimulus programs have been geared towards infrastructure programs,
designed to create jobs and boost local economies.

AAP saj/sb/de

KEYWORD: JOBS GILLARD 6 CANBERRA

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