More News Employees working longer to keep jobs

AUSTRALIANS are being asked to work longer hours as bosses delay hiring new staff in the biggest jobs slowdown in two decades.

Almost 30,000 workers were turfed out of their jobs in the lead-up to Christmas, with many who kept their jobs asked to shoulder an ever-increasing burden, new data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics reveals.

"While there are less jobs around we are also working harder, with the number of hours worked rising by 0.3 per cent in December," Commsec chief economist Craig James said.

"Employers asked staff to work longer hours rather than taking on new workers."

Mr James tipped unemployment could rise to 5.7 per cent this year.

"After holding out for the past six months, Aussie businesses have finally decided to bite the bullet and start culling staff - albeit modestly."

The data came as acting Treasurer Bill Shorten tipped more jobs could be lost if conditions in Europe worsen.

"There is a tough year ahead of us in Australia (with) big challenges in the global economy, which will inevitably impact on our economy," he said.

The fall in employment in December surprised many economists who were forecasting an increase of 10,000 jobs.

Part-time workers were hit hard in the lead-up to Christmas, with 53,700 stripped of employment.

The figures showed full-time employment was up 24,500 last month. The unemployment figure actually remained stable on 5.2 per cent nationally as fewer people looked for work.

Mr James said the dour figures would force the Reserve Bank's hand for a February rate cut from the current 4.25 per cent.

Five thousand jobs were lost in the Victorian economy, although the official rate dropped from 5.5 to 5.2 per cent as fewer people looked for work.

heraldsun 20 Jan 2012

Another blatant exploytation by empoyers both local and multinational.

The end game is to opress the masses and enslave them into their jobs, just like in Japan.

What the mass media are not focusing on is the OH&S issue assocated with the longer working hours.

Many employers are breaking the OH&S laws, but workers are too frightened to come forward as their job will be at risk after an official complaint.