Trades Union Congress – Jobless cleaners, caterers and machine operators amongst those most at risk of long-term unemployment

If they become unemployed, low-paid workers such as cleaners, catering assistants and machine operators are most likely to be on the dole for more than six months, according to a new TUC analysis published today (Monday) ahead of the latest unemployment statistics this week.

The TUC analysis shows that as unemployment rises and the number of job vacancies fall, a growing proportion of unemployed people are staying on the dole for over six months, and this is affecting low-paid workers more than others.

The number of dole claimants out of work for over six months has increased by around a third since the start of the recession, rising from 29 per cent in April 2008 to 40 per cent in October 2011. Currently around one in six dole claimants have now been out of work for over a year.

The risk of becoming long-term unemployed has increased most for machine operators, with the number of long-term dole claimants rising from 29 per cent before the recession to 45 per cent in October this year. People from elementary occupations – which includes jobs like cleaners, catering assistants and security guards – have had the second sharpest increase, with 46 per cent of them now having been on the dole for at least six months.

via Trades Union Congress – Jobless cleaners, caterers and machine operators amongst those most at risk of long-term unemployment.

Related articles

• UK | Has long-term youth unemployment risen by 60% since January? | Full Fact (skillsinfo.wordpress.com)
• Low-paid face long-term joblessness (mirror.co.uk)
• Low-paid hit most by long-term unemployment (guardian.co.uk)