Job vacancies down five per cent

Job vacancies fell 5 per cent in March from a year earlier, lagging behind an average 8 per cent decline in 2006.

The number of advertised job vacancies fell to 7219 last month, the Department of Labour said. Vacancies have been declining since October 2005 because of slowing economic growth.

Fewer vacancies may reduce pressure on wages and inflation. Vacancies for skilled workers fell 14 per cent and by 8 per cent for. semi-skilled and elementary workers.

Vacancies for managers, professional and other highly skilled employees fell 4 per cent.

- BLOOMBERG