Mining sector dominates increase in employment by 3.6 per cent

TOTAL employment increased by 3.6 per cent up to March 2017, reflecting an increase in jobs in the mining sector, according to a report.
The Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook prepared by Treasury said employment in the mining sector grew by 8.9 per cent to the March quarter of 2017.
It was attributed to the full operation of Ok Tedi mine, following its resumption in early 2016.
“Non-mining sector employment contracted by 2.5 per cent through the year to the March quarter — an improvement from a contraction of 4.1 per cent in the corresponding period in 2016.
“It is still reflecting a sluggish performance from the non-mining sectors,” it said. “Non-mining employment contracted in a number of sectors including building and construction (down 13.6 per cent), transport (down 10 per cent), retail (down 5.6 per cent), wholesale (down 3.1 per cent), and finance and other services (down 1.3 per cent). On the other hand, the manufacturing sector and the agriculture, forestry and fishery sector recorded growth in employment by 1.9 per cent and 0.6 per cent respectively.”