Fed: Unemployment at nine year low of 6.7 per cent

AAP General News (Australia)
12-09-1999
Fed: Unemployment at nine year low of 6.7 per cent

Australia's jobless rate has plunged to 6.7 per cent for November - the lowest level
since June 1990.

But the fall in the seasonally adjusted jobless rate was due to 38,000 people dropping
out of the labour market in November, with the number of people in work actually falling
6,200.

This is the first time employment has fallen since March.

However, it's also the first time the jobless rate has dropped below seven per cent since 1990.

It means unemployment has already bettered the forecast the government set last month,
of 6.75 per cent by June next year.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics says full-time employment rose 3,400 in November,
while part time employment fell 9,800.

The number of people looking for work also fell 32,000.

RTV ss/mfh/kbw

KEYWORD: JOBS (CANBERRA)

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