UnionsWA has today commented the release by the Australian Bureau of Statistics of labour force data showing a continuing rise in unemployment in WA particularly among men. 

Owen Whittle, Acting Secretary* UnionsWA said:

“Unemployment in WA has been rising over the past three years.

"We need solutions.

"We need to diversify WA's economy beyond just the the resources sector to ensure we have a range of jobs across different industries, including manufacturing.

"We need to improve our skills base, particularly among young people.

"Employers using temporary overseas labour should be required to prove they are giving locals a chance first and the tests for this should be strengthened.

"Seasonally adjusted the WA unemployment rate has risen from 5.1% in May to 5.8% in June.

"Caution should be taken relying on these short-term figures.

"The greater worry is that over the past three years the average trend data show WA's unemployment rate rising 3.7% to 5.5% and for men the unemployment rate has almost doubled from 3.2% to 6.0%.



WA unemployment rate (trend), June, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 
Persons, Men and Women. 

"Youth unemployment rate are even higher.


Further information:

Today's ABS Labour Force release, including downloads for WA data, are available here.

*Meredith Hammat, Secretary, UnionsWA is currently on leave.