3.
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to 1967 when the situation already was serious and affected particularly the ready-to-wear industry, The number of employees concerned rose from 1,746 in 1967 to 2,392 in 1968, This indi- Saates, of course, that the opportunities for employment deteri-
'orated still further during the year.
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Consequently, unemployment in the textile sector did not improve in 1968. During the last month, 2.7 per cent of the employees in the clothing industry and 3.1 per cent of the workers in the remaining sectors of the textile industry were without work. These figures represent a much higher percentage compared to the other branches of Swedish industry. Furthermore, it should be noted that the total number of un- employed in Sweden declined last year, in contrast to the development in the textile industry.
ist.
Thus, it should be evident that the Swedish textile industry is still faoing serious problems. It is necessary to conti- nue to keep the development in check, in the long run as well as.on the short range. In order to find out how these serious social and economic problems may be solved satisfactorily, the Government decided "in' May "Tast year to appoint a Royal Commission to inquire into the matter. The Commission has now been at work for some time and may be able to present its findings and conclusions some time next year. In the mean- while, the Government cannot refrain from measures to limit imports to quantities that can be absorbed on the market without causing serious disruptions. Much to its regret, therefore, the Swedish Government must request the Hong Kong authorities to prolong the local, temporary export control for another year.
Stockholm, March 18, 1969
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