Canada's payrolls rebound 39% in May after 28% decline in April

By Ovunc Kutlu

ISTANBUL (AA) - Public payrolls in Canada rebounded strongly in May after a massive decline in April, according to figures released Thursday by Statistics Canada.

Payroll employment in the federal government public administration increased by 106,600, or 39.4%, in May.

It followed a 28.4% decline in April when payroll employment in the federal public administration fell by 107,400.

"The decline in April was largely associated with the Public Service Alliance of Canada strike action and was expected to be temporary," Statistics Canada said in a statement.

In May, in addition to the overall gain in public administration, seven sectors recorded monthly payroll employment increases, such as health care and social assistance, accommodation and food services, and arts, entertainment and recreation.

While the number of vacancies declined by 26,000, or 3.3%, to 759,000 in May, compared to the previous month, they were down 24.3% on an annual basis.

Average weekly earnings were up 3.6% year-on-year, driven by gains in the forestry and logging sectors with an increase of 10%, followed by utilities with 6.7%.