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WORKERS are having to put in longer hours in their jobs but are getting paid more, according to the latest figures.
The March 2004 Quarterly Employment Survey results showed increases in earnings and paid hours, while employment remained static, according to Statistics New Zealand.
The increase in paid hours reflects increased working hours within businesses and increased employment in particular industries.
Earnings have increased this quarter, in line with paid hours. Seasonally adjusted gross earnings increased by 6.4 per cent compared with the March quarter last year. The average total hourly earnings were relatively unchanged at an estimated $19.85, while average earnings rose by 1.5 per cent to $770.93.
The annual increase in paid hours continues to be lower than the increase in earnings, possibly due to: increases in wage rates; rises in the number of higher-paid employees; increases in overtime hours worked; and a shift from part-time employment to full-time employment.
Employment shows little change compared with the December 2003 quarter. Filled jobs increased by 3.3 per cent compared with the same quarter last year. Full-time employment rose while part-time employment fell, which is the usual result for March.
However, growth in full-time employees has been greater than growth for part-time employees for the last three years, reflecting the tight labour market conditions and business growth.
Salary and wage rates (including overtime) rose 2.2 per cent in the year to March 2004.
Public sector salary and wage rates (including overtime) recorded and annual rise of 2.6 per cent in the March 2004 quarter, while the private sector rose 2.1 per cent. By comparison, from the December 2003 quarter to the March 2004 quarter, private sector salary and wage rates (including overtime) rose 0.5 per cent, while public sector rates rose by 0.4 per cent.
Carpenters and joiners salary and wage rates (including overtime) rose 0.9 per cent in the March 2004 quarter. Carpenters and joiners salaries and wages have shown consistently high growth over the past year, increasing 4.3 per cent from the March 2003 quarter to March 2004 quarter. The rises are consistent with reported skill shortages in this area.

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