Province�s employment numbers decline slightly

According to the latest Labour Force Survey from Statistics Canada, employment in Newfoundland and Labrador dropped slightly from the same time period last year.

For August 2000, employment in the province declined 0.8 per cent, a decrease of 1,700 jobs compared to August 1999. However, these losses were less than those recorded in the previous two months of this year.

The unemployment rate stood at 15.1 per cent, a decrease of 1.1 percentage points from last year. The change in the unemployment rate can be attributed to a smaller labour force compared to last year. On a seasonally adjusted basis, the unemployment rate dropped 0.4 per cent from last month.

"The decrease in year-over-year employment in August was due to losses in the goods sector, primarily the fishery," said Julie Bettney, Minister of Human Resources and Employment. "On the positive side, there was growth in retail trade and tourism related industries including accommodations and food services, information, culture and recreation."

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

2000 09 07 1:15 p.m.