STUC on labour market statistics

June 17th 2009

STUC on labour market statistics

June 17th 2009

Commenting on today’s statistics which show a rise in unemployment in Scotland of 41,000 over the quarter, Grahame Smith, Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) General Secretary said:

“Today’s unemployment figures provide a stark rejoinder to those talking up green shoots in the economy. The inconvenient truth is that this recession remains in its infancy in terms of job losses.

“In any case, the motivation of the green shoots brigade is highly questionable. The implicit assumption appears to be that, since the recession might not be as deep as some feared, the Government should not pursue critical economic restructuring such as regulating the financial sector. This is self-serving nonsense and should be treated as such.

“Government at all levels must redouble its efforts to prevent future job losses and provide effective assistance to the newly unemployed. In particular, the Scottish Government must quickly bring forward plans for a short-time wage and training subsidy programme similar to that already operational in Wales”.

ENDS

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