Back in work after retrenchment

August 8 2002 - Two thirds (67%) of people retrenched in the previous three years were back in employment by July 2001, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). This is a significant improvement on the 55% in employment at July 1997 after retrenchment in the three years prior.

The ABS Retrenchment and Redundancy survey also found that:

* 17% (99,100) of people who were retrenched in the three years prior to July 2001 were unemployed, compared to 29% (200,500) of people retrenched in the three years up to July 1997.

* The total number of people retrenched fell from 685,400 in the three years prior to July 1997 to 596,400 in the three years up to July 2001.

* Industries recording the lowest proportions of retrenchment, relative to the number of employees at May 2001, were education (1.5%) and health and community services (3.2%). Whereas the highest were mining (25%), communication services (19%), and construction (16%).

* Occupations recording the lowest proportions of retrenchment, relative to the number of employees at May 2001, were professionals (5%), associate professionals (6%), and advanced clerical and service workers (6%). Highest were tradespersons and related workers (12%), labourers and related workers (12%), and intermediate production and transport workers (10%).

* Employees retrenched from the mining industry had a greater likelihood of being in employment at July 2001 than workers retrenched from any other industry (80% at July 2001). They were followed by employees retrenched from property and business services (73%), wholesale trade, government administration and defence, education, and heath and community services (all 72%).

* Further details can be found in Retrenchment and Redundancy, Australia, July 2001 (Cat. No. 6266.0).

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