Concerns jobs figures mask public health issues - 11th April 2013

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Australia's latest unemployment figures might look good on a global scale, but there are also concerns they are masking serious public health issues.

The unemployment rate jumped to 5.6 per cent today due to the estimated loss of more than 36,000 jobs in March.

Despite the rise, Australia's jobless rate shapes up well globally.

Unions, however, say the figures are disguised by a rapid rise in part-time and casual work.

The latest Bureau of Statistics figures show nearly 500,000 people want full-time work but cannot find it.

According to the OECD, Australia has the fourth highest proportion of part-time workers in the developed world.

Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) president Ged Kearney says many of these workers are struggling to make ends meet.

"When workers can't predict from week to week what hours they'll work, or how much they'll earn, they struggle to do basic things like pay rent and bills, let alone pay off a mortgage," she said.

Harry Denison is one of a growing number of young Australians who cannot get full-time work.

Mr Denison says he has been a casual employee for the past seven years.

"Despite having applied for over 15 odd jobs in the past 50 days, I haven't been able to secure more than one interview," he said.

"It's not like I have a poor resume or am lacking the education.

"It's just the bizarre Catch-22 in Australia. Entry-level jobs demand at least two years' experience and a tertiary degree."

It's just the bizarre Catch-22 in Australia. Entry level jobs demand at least two years experience and a tertiary degree.

Stressed workers

Forty per cent of Australia's workforce is in insecure work and 25 per cent of workers are not getting any sick leave.

Beyond Blue chief executive Kate Carnell says that is a serious public health problem.

She says it is a leading factor in depression and even heart disease.

"What Beyond Blue is noticing is that mental health issues are continuing to escalate," she said.

"Last year stress claims topped $10 billion and we know job insecurity, over-work and under-work are contributing factors to the cost, both personally and to the economy."

Ms Carnell says Australians are also working longer hours than ever before and that is contributing to work-related stress.

"Australians work some of the longest hours in the developed world. So we have both a very large amount of casualisation but also some of the longest working hours in the world, so we've got two sides of the coin," she said.

"More and more people are working longer hours and more and more people are not getting the hours they want and that needs to be addressed.

"The statistics we had last year suggested that 2.2 million Australians don't know what time they'll finish work when they head out the door in the morning."

Casual work and low pay are key issues the ACTU is highlighting in its latest campaign for a rise in the award wage.

The unions want a $30-a-week increase for those on the lowest pay.

The wages of 1.5 million Australians are linked to the award.

But industry groups claim many small businesses owners are also just surviving.

Sydney florist Nicky Mann says she has no choice but to hire staff on casual or part-time contracts.

"Because I work in a seasonal industry, I need the flexibility of part-time labour for my business to survive," she said.

The national wage decision will be handed down in early June. (ABC News)