BLS DAILY REPORT, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 1996
The average annual pay of workers in metropolitan areas rose 3.5 percent
from 1994 to 1995, preliminary BLS data shows. In the nation's 311
metropolitan areas, the average annual pay was $29,105 in 1995, up from
$28,125 in 1994. Average pay for the nation as a whole -- combining both
metropolitan and non-metropolitan areas -- was $27,845 in 1995. San Jose,
Calif., topped the list of metropolitan areas with the highest average pay.
Jacksonville, N.C., reported the lowest average annual pay level among
metropolitan areas ....(Daily Labor Report, pages 2,D-1).
There are about 250 million child laborers working in developing countries,
about three times more than previous estimates, according to a new study.
The International Labor Organization attributed the jump in child workers
to more accurate survey methods and the inclusion of workers under 10 years
old, as well as economic forces that are driving more employers to rely on
children ....(Wall Street Journal, page A2).
In an article, "Home Health Care Opens Door to Abuses," USA Today (Nov. 11,
page 11B) says that Labor Department predicts home health care will have
the largest job growth of any industry, 1994 to the year 2005 ....
The Wall Street Journal's column "The Outlook" (Nov. 11, page A1) says
firms cut health costs, but cover fewer workers ....Just five years ago,
employers' health care costs were increasing at double-digit rates. Now
they are barely increasing at all. Unpublished Bureau of Labor Statistics
data show that, during the 12-month period ended in September, employers
paid just seven-tenths of a percent more to buy health care for their
workers ....An accompanying graph shows percentage change in private
employers health costs vs. wages and salaries, quarterly data, 1985 to the
present; source is BLS.
Job cuts caused by mergers fell 33 percent to 37,530 during the first 10
months of this year compared with the same period in 1995, according to the
outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas Inc. However, the trend
reversed in October, when merger-driven layoffs rose 33 percent over last
October (Washington Times, page B6).
DUE OUT TOMORROW:
Producer Price Indexes -- October 1996
Quality Changes for 1997 Model Vehicles
