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Payroll jobs in New South Wales (NSW) dropped by 4.4% in the first fortnight of July 2021, as the COVID-19 lockdown hit the economy hard.
According to the latest data put out by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), payroll jobs fell 2.4% nationally in the fortnight to 17 July 2021. To put things in perspective, the same number had fallen by a mere 0.2%. in the preceding fortnight.
The statistical bureau attributed the reduction in jobs to the lockdown in Greater Sydney Metropolitan.
head of Labour Statistics, Bjorn Jarvis, stated: “The latest fortnight of data coincided with school holidays in every state and territory, the second and third weeks of the Greater Sydney lockdown, increased COVID-19 restrictions in other parts of New South Wales and the first two days of lockdown in Victoria.”
New South Wales accounts for one-third of Australian payroll jobs – and hence has national implications as well.
In the neighbouring Australian Capital Territory, payroll jobs fell 2.4% -- becoming the second worst performer in the country.
Victoria, which accounts for a quarter of Australian payroll jobs, saw a 1.9% drop.
Naturally, amid lockdowns, the accommodation and food services as well as arts and recreation services industries saw large declines over the fortnight – down by 19% and 18% in New South Wales and by 8.7% and 4.5% nationally, respectively.
“As we saw in the early weeks of the pandemic last year, payroll jobs held by women and workers under 30 were particularly impacted, especially in New South Wales,” Mr Jarvis added.
Australia has seen a spike in the pandemic, as it tries to fight a two-pronged war against the third wave and low vaccination rate. The country has reported 1,658 cases in the last seven days, up 27% on a sequential basis.
