According to the Labour Force Survey published today, the number of persons employed in public administration, defence, education, human health and social work activities shot up from 46,489 in Q2 of last year to 50,646 in Q2 of this year, the Nationalist Part said.

In a statement, spokesman for the finance Mario de Marco said the 4,000 increase in this sector jars with the decrease in the number of persons working in the manufacturing sector and in the wholesale, retail, food and accommodation, transport and storage sector. These sectors saw drops of 1,427 and 2,409 respectively (the decrease in the number of manufacturing sector employees could in part be the result of a reclassification exercise). The same Labour Force Survey indicates that while the average salary of persons working in the public administration, education and healthcare increased by €354, the average salary of employees in wholesale, retail and food and accommodation services sector increased by €65 and the average salary of persons working in the manufacturing sector employees decreased by €619. 

The results of the Labour Force Survey point to yet more persons being put on the public sector wage bill despite a clear promise by the government to the contrary. This course of action is pushing up government expenditure. This strategy whilst contributing to GDP growth in the short-term, is not sustainable in the medium and long-term.