Casuals to make up half workforce soon

Tuesday, 23 November, 1999 - 21:00
ONLY half the Australian workforce will hold full-time positions within a few years according to Catalyst Recruitment managing director George Zammit.

The remaining 50 per cent will be contractors, consultants, temps and casuals.

The latest figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics showed 26.4 per cent of the overall Australian workforce were part-time – 2,355,200 people of a total of 8,907,900.

Mr Zammitt said Catalyst Recruitment was placing more contractors and casuals into assignments than staff into permanent positions.

“A good contractor must be productive quickly but the rewards are many,” Mr Zammit said.

“Apart from higher wages they enjoy greater flexibility and exposure to a variety of tasks and workplaces.”

“Employers are prepared to pay premium wages for the right casual workers because it is far less of a financial, administrative and emotional commitment than permanent staff,” Mr Zammit said.