XN000022-1983-07-16 — Page 3

SATURDAY, JULY 16, 1983

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THE EMERGENCY RELIEF FUND IS MANAGED BY THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, WHO ACTS ON THE ADVICE OF THE EMERGENCY RELIEF FUND COMMITTEE, COMPRISING BOTH UNOFFICIAL AND OFFICIAL MEMBERS.

IN THE LAST FINANCIAL YEAR, $19.8 MILLION, $32,8 MILLION AND $2.6 MILLION WERE PAID OUT FROM THE EMERGENCY RELIEF FUND, THE TRAFFIC ACCIDENT VICTIMS ASSISTANCE FUND, AND THE CRIMINAL AND LAW ENFORCEMENT INJURIES COMPENSATION SCHEME RESPECTIVELY.

SURVEY OF EMPLOYMENT, PAYROLL AND ORDERS-ON-HAND FOR MAY

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THE AVERAGE VOLUME OF ORDERS-ON-HAND (IN TERMS OF MONTHS) INCREASED SLIGHTLY IN MAY 1983, ACCORDING TO THE MANUFACTURERS SURVEYED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.

SMALL IMPROVEMENTS OCCURRED IN MOST INDUSTRIES EXCEPT THE FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS INDUSTRY WHERE A SLIGHT DECLINE WAS RECORDED, FOLLOWING A SUBSTANTIAL INCREASE IN THE PRECEDING MONTH.

TAKING ALL THE MANUFACTURERS SURVEYED AS A WHOLE, EMPLOYMENT INCREASED SLIGHTLY IN MAY 1983 COMPARED WITH THE PRECEDING MONTH.

EMPLOYMENT INCREASED IN THE FOOD AND DRINKS INDUSTRY DUE TO

A HIGHER SEASONAL DEMAND FOR SOFT DRINKS AND BEER.

INCREASES WERE ALSO NOTED IN THE PLASTIC PRODUCTS, FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS AND ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRIES AS SOME MANUFACTURERS, WITH SUFFICIENT ORDERS-ON-HAND, BEGAN TO RECRUIT STUDENTS AS SUMMER WORKERS.

IN THE CONSTRUCTION SECTOR, EMPLOYMENT DECLINED SLIGHTLY WHEN A FEW COMPANIES REDUCED THE NUMBER OF THEIR EMPLOYEES UPON COMPLETION OF SOME CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS.

PAYROLL AND PER CAPITA EARNINGS ROSE IN THE FOOD AND DRINKS INDUSTRY BECAUSE OF MORE OVERTIME WORK AND MORE COMMISSION FOR EMPLOYEES IN SEVERAL BEVERAGES FACTORIES. HOWEVER, THEY DROPPED IN THE TEXTILES AND ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRIES, BECAUSE OF PAYMENTS FOR MORE OVERTIME WORK IN THE PRECEDING MONTH.

IN THE SERVICES SECTOR, PAYROLL AND PER CAPITA EARNINGS DECLINED GENERALLY AS BONUSES WERE ISSUED BY A FEW COMPANIES IN THE PRECEDING MONTH.

THE AVERAGE NUMBER OF DAYS WORKED PER WEEK BY OPERATIVES DECREASED SLIGHTLY IN THE PLASTIC PRODUCTS AND ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRIES, BUT INCREASED IN THE FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS INDUSTRY AS A FEW FACTORIES REVERTED TO A SIX-DAY WORKING WEEK IN MAY.

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THE PERCENTAGE CHANGES N EMPLOYMENT, PER CAPITA EARNINGS AND ORDERS-ON-HAND FOR THE LAST THREE MONTHS ARE SHOWN IN THE

ACCOMPANYING TABLE.

WHEN RELEASING