Construction jobs keep falling, dwelling permits rise

Employment in construction activities declined by 9.0 per cent as a result of decreases in employment in the construction of buildings, civil engineering and in specialised construction activities by 4.7, 20.0 and 10.7 per cent respectively.

In the period under review, hours worked declined by 6.6 per cent over the corresponding period in 2012. The largest decline (-19.7 per cent) was registered in civil engineering. Furthermore, hours worked in the construction of buildings and in specialised construction activities declined by 3.3 and 6.4 per cent respectively.

An overall downward trend (-2.7 per cent) was observed for wages and salaries, when compared to the corresponding quarter last year. The most notable decline was registered in civil engineering (-19.7 per cent). Wages and salaries contracted by 1.9 per cent in specialised construction activities. In contrast, gross wages and salaries paid in the construction of buildings increased by 1.8 per cent over the corresponding quarter in 2012.

Residential permit data for the period under review went up by 14.8 per cent. Permits for one-dwelling residential buildings advanced by 34.9 per cent while permits for two and more dwelling residential units rose by 10.0 per cent.