TUC: Low paid are worst hurt by recession and cuts
WORKERS in the lowest-income sectors are among the worst hit by rising unemployment over the last three years, according to research out today from the Trades Union Congress (TUC).
Forty-one per cent of job losses came in sales and elementary service and admin roles – categories which make up less than 20 per cent of the overall workforce.
August’s figures showed 324,625 dole claimants who used to work in sales – almost three times more than in April 2008, the TUC said.
Unemployment almost doubled for workers in elementary service and admin roles – including bar staff and labourers – from 86,250 to 168,015.
“People are desperate to see where new jobs are going to come from,” said TUC secretary general Brendan Barber.
“But the government’s rigid austerity plan is killing off their job prospects and stifling business growth. It is time for the chancellor to change course.”