Employment numbers in the June 2022 quarter declined by 1.1%, making this period the eleventh consecutive quarter of negative growth since December 2019.
This continuous negative effect on employment reflects the impact experienced by the country due to global and national restrictions caused by the Covid19 pandemic both worldwide and nationwide says the Samoa Bureau of Statistics latest report on employment.
Its effect has impacted on industries such as Accommodations, Restaurants, Communications, Business Services, Other manufacturing and Construction.
Wages and Salaries for the June 2022 quarter amounted to $142.6 million, increasing by 0.1% over the previous June 2021 quarter.
This was influenced mainly by the increase in wages and salaries in some industries such as Education, Restaurants, Electricity, Accommodation, Food and Other manufacturing industries.
During the three-year period, the Employment Index continues to show a downward trend from June 2019 to June 2022.
The employment index recorded a decline of 1.0% in the period under review compared to June 2021 quarter.
“The overall impact shown in the chart was strongly influenced by the effect of the Covid-19 pandemic most particularly the discovery of community cases in our island nation towards the end of March 2022 quarter.
“Only essential services were in operation during the start of June 2022 quarter with vaccination roll-out conducted in many locations as indicated by the Ministry of Health.
“Normal business hours of operation were shortened and social distancing measures enforced.
Some industries that were significantly affected by underlying conditions faced within the reviewed period include Restaurants, Communication, Other manufacturing and Construction with respective declines in the employment of 13.4%, 13.2%, 3.2% and 2.1% in the June 2022 quarter compared to the corresponding quarter of 2021.
“Some industries which contributed largely to the decline in employment in the June 2022 quarter.”
