2 September 2010
True unemployment rate could be 20%, says ICTU
THE true unemployment rate could be close to 20%, says Congress Economic Advisor Paul Sweeney.
He says that the official figures "significantly underestimate the 'true' level of unemployment and thus the scale of the social and economic devastation in communities across the country."
"When you add in the tens of thousands who have been forced to emigrate, the tens of thousands who have stayed in or returned to education for the same reason and the many thousands who want full time work but can only get part time or casual jobs, you get a more accurate picture of the scale of the problem and its huge social impact.
"Taking those numbers into account, the true unemployment figure could be close to 20%.
He points out that the CSO itself had calculated this rate - comprised of the unemployed and 'discouraged workers' - as having risen to 17%.
"Congress believes it is closer to 20 percent - an all time high.. We need a major reordering of Government priorities with people placed firmly before banks and private profit. Their deflationary policies are taking money out of the economy and destroying jobs."
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