NLIS 8
July 7, 2000
(Human Resources and Employment)

Province�s unemployment numbers decrease

Newfoundland and Labrador�s unemployment rate dropped in June according to the latest Labour Force Survey from Statistics Canada.

As compared to the same time period last year the province�s unemployment rate dropped 1.9 percentage points. For June 2000 the unemployment rate stood at 15.5 per cent as compared to 17.4 per cent in June 1999.

While the unemployment rate is encouraging the drop reflects fewer people looking for employment rather than an increase in jobs.

Employment actually dropped by one per cent, or about 2,000, compared with this time last year primarily due to lower levels of employment in fish processing and construction. Seasonally adjusted employment numbers dropped slightly by 0.7 per cent since May 2000. Most provinces recorded a decline in seasonally adjusted employment during this period.

"Fluctuations in employment numbers from month to month are to be expected," said Julie Bettney, Minister of the Department of Human Resources and Employment. "However, on average employment for the first half of the year is higher than the same period last year."

Media contact: Marcia Porter, Communications, (709) 729-4062.

2000 07 07                 2:50 p.m.