Already observed at the start of the year, the decline in employment accelerated in the second quarter, at the time of the riots, according to the Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies. It is confirmed in September with 9,500 fewer private sector employees, in the space of six months. All sectors of activity are concerned.
The indicators were already worrying in the first quarter of 2024. They turned red in the 2nd and 3rd quarters. In New Caledonia, the employment figures reveal the unprecedented crisis that the country has been going through since the abuses which began on May 13. A look back at the major trends in ten key figures.
In September, employment collapsed with 9,250 fewer employees compared to March. It returns to the same level as in September 2008. In the 2nd quarter, there were 60,700 employees declared to Cafat, or 5,900 fewer than in the first. For the 3rd quarter, the results are still provisional. But the trend continues with a fall in employment estimated at 3,400 additional employees.
In the 2nd quarter, this drop in employment is linked to a sharp decline in hiring (-22.5%) and not to terminations of employment contracts. The latter also show a very clear decline (-67%). The emergency measures put in place for partial unemployment have enabled a good number of companies to retain their staff. In September, there were still 300 employers who no longer had employees.
Artisans, liberal professions, traders… A thousand independent workers, all sectors combined, ceased their activity between March and September. As they are not employees, these self-employed workers cannot benefit from unemployment insurance.
Leading provider of jobs in New Caledonia, the services sector was also the one that was hit the hardest. In total, 4,400 employees lost their jobs between March and September. The sector, which had 30,700 employees in the second half, continued its decline in the 3rd quarter. The threshold of 31,000 employees had not been crossed since 2011.
This decline in employment mainly affects accommodation and catering. The latter suffered a sudden cessation of tourism due to the riots, even if several hotels welcomed the police who came as reinforcements. Administrative and support service activities are also affected, mainly temporary employment and cleaning companies.
Other sectors affected: transport and warehousing “who have never experienced such levels of job loss”points to the Isee.
Finally, specialized, scientific and technical activities have also seen a significant drop in the number of jobs. This is the case with advertising or engineering.
This drop in employment is also very present in industry with 2,700 fewer employees between March and September. The sector had already started a decline at the end of 2023. But this intensified with the number of employees falling from 15,400 to 12,700 in six months. The closure of the North factory partly explains these figures, as well as the problems of access to mining sites. The nickel mining industry lost 160 jobs in six months.
The 3rd trimester is evocative. The construction sector only has 4,600 employees compared to 5,900 in March. This is its lowest level in the last four years. Earthmoving, drilling, surveying and masonry activities are mainly affected. Difficulties following the nickel crisis and the slowdown in construction.
From 10,300 employees in March, commerce increased to 8,500 employees six months later. This drop mainly concerns food stores, businesses specializing in household equipment, service stations, dealerships and wholesale brands. Some companies have also had to face access or supply difficulties. More generally, commerce is suffering from the drop in consumption by New Caledonians, linked to the loss of purchasing power of some households.
In September, the agricultural sector fell to 1,400 jobs, 270 fewer than in March. This fall accelerated in June and September. It mainly affects vegetable crops, melons, roots and tubers, but also animal production and the shrimp sector.
In September, 17,500 Caledonians were affected by partial unemployment. This represents 31% of private sector employees. Isee notes, however, that “this is 25% less than the maximum reached two months earlier”that is to say in July.
The Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies explains this differential by the fact that “the anticipations of companies at the time of their request for partial unemployment ultimately prove to be overestimated in relation to their implementation”.
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