Job Market Monitor
Politics & Policies
There have been only two administrations that turned in a worse performance in private-sector job growth says NYTimes.com
The December jobs figures out today indicate that there were 725,000 more jobs in the private sector than at the end of 2008 — and 697,000 fewer government jobs. That works into a private-sector gain of 0.6 percent, and a government sector decline of 3.1 percent. In total, the number of people with jobs is … Continue reading
The Fiscal Cliff Deal and the ‘Safety Net’
The deal doesn’t include any explicit cuts to the social insurance or safety net programs that are dear to Democrats’ hearts. But somehow the party of Franklin Roosevelt and Lyndon Johnson forgot that spending has to be paid for. The ability of the federal government to protect its citizens against the risks of old age … Continue reading
Unemployment needs city-specific solutions
Centre for Cities launches Cities Outlook 2012 today, which shows how cities are fairing against the backdrop of a sluggish national economy. This year the report focuses on unemployment in our largest urban areas. For this reason both the government and the work programme providers must take a varied response to the UK’s unemployment problem. … Continue reading
Ireland / Special Cabinet meeting on jobs and job creation
Enda Kenny has promised to aggressively tackle unemployment this year and has ordered each of his ministers to come up with individual employment targets. The Taoiseach said a special Cabinet meeting on jobs and job creation will be held later this month where each minister will be expected to outline their own specific job creation … Continue reading
The ‘Right to Work’ From The Right: A Race-To-The-Bottom Policies
Michigan Republicans are pushing low wages, claiming that “right-to-work” laws will “attract businesses.” Conservatives argue that strong unions cost jobs and anti-union “right-to-work” laws will bring jobs, because companies will move to places where workers are less able to fight for good pay and benefits… Right-to-work laws have not succeeded in boosting employment growth in … Continue reading
Canada / Foreign Skilled Workers / Language ability and education credentials, greater weight to youth
New requirements for immigrants coming to Canada under the federal skilled worker program will emphasize the ability to speak English or French and give greater weight to young applicants, Immigration Minister Jason Kenney announced Wednesday. Once potential immigrants have their language skills assessed, their education credentials will be assessed by an organization designated by Kenney. … Continue reading
The Day After Sandy Hook / Funding cuts force layoffs at nonviolence institute
An organization that advocates and teaches nonviolence practices in Rhode Island schools and prisons has been forced to lay off staff, its executive director said Monday. Teny Gross of the Institute for the Study & Practice of Nonviolence said losses in federal and state funding have forced the institute to lay off about one-third of … Continue reading
Canada / Suitable employment and reasonable job search efforts – Gov’t Info
You have always been responsible for conducting reasonable job searches, documenting your job search activities and accepting any offer of suitable employment while receiving Employment Insurance (EI) regular and fishing benefits. The Connecting Canadians with Available Jobs (CCAJ) initiative has clarified the definitions ofsuitable employment and reasonable job search. Suitable employment Several factors will determine what will be consideredsuitable … Continue reading
US / Democrats want jobless benefits in Fiscal Cliff deal
Hovering in the background of the “fiscal cliff” debate is the prospect of 2 million people losing their unemployment benefits four days after Christmas. “This is the real cliff,” said Sen. Jack Reed, D-R.I. He’s been leading the effort to include another extension of benefits for the long-term unemployed in any deal to avert looming … Continue reading
UK / Exchanging workers’ rights for shares: Employers reject George Osborne’s plan
George Osborne has been given a black eye on the eve of his autumn statement by employers almost universally rejecting his plan to offer workers company shares in return for abandoning many of their employment rights. The chancellor plans to announce on Wednesday that he will press ahead with the proposal, with some small adjustments. … Continue reading
Unemployment Insurance / Its Importance for American Families and the Economy
Among the many spending cuts and tax increases legislated to take effect at the turn of the year, few policies have as direct an effect on those most affected by the Great Recession than the expiration of extended unemployment insurance (UI) benefits. In the first week of January, roughly two million individuals will lose extended … Continue reading
Singapore / Retirement and Re-employment Act – Employers are now required to offer re-employment
Since 1 January 2012, the Retirement Age Act (RAA) has been replaced by the Retirement and Re-employment Act (RRA). Like the RAA, the RRA also covers all employees who are Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents. Under the RRA, the statutory minimum retirement age is still 62, but employers are now required to offer re-employment to … Continue reading
Australia / Reserve Bank Cuts Key Rate to Match Half-Century Low
The Reserve Bank of Australia cut its benchmark interest rate to the half-century low set during the 2009 global recession as hiring falters and an elevated currency hurts industries such as manufacturing and tourism. Governor Glenn Stevens and his board reduced the overnight cash-rate target by a quarter percentage point to 3 percent, the central … Continue reading
South Africa / State’s fund creates only 745 jobs in 18 months
Since its launch last year, the government’s R9bn Jobs Fund has placed 745 unemployed youths into jobs through one of the projects that have benefited from the fund. The fund, promised by President Jacob Zuma last year in his state of the nation address and launched in June, provides grants to government departments, companies, municipalities … Continue reading
Malta / Minimum wage earners will pay tax
Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi has admitted that single people earning minimum wage will be paying tax on their gross incomes, due to the increase from the cost of living adjustment and the government bonus that will push the minimum wage into the taxable bracket. In an interview on Radju Malta’s Ghandi Xi Nghid, Gonzi confirmed … Continue reading
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