Ontario / The underground economy is stealing jobs

Some of those jobs London so badly needs, with the highest big-city jobless rate in the country, can be found underground.

No, not in the dirt but in the underground economy.

Hidden from number counters, the taxman and competing with businesses that pay their taxes and might even hire more people if business were better, the black market especially thrives in tough times or when new regulations or taxes are brought in.

Whether it’s home renovations, child care or computer repairs, there are under-the-counter cash deals going on all the time that don’t show up in the monthly jobless reports or in government revenue streams.

The problem is especially acute for roofers, renovators and professional tradespeople.

Chosen excerpts by Job Market Monitor

via Stealing jobs | Local | News | The London Free Press.