EARNINGS trends in manufacturing remain very subdued, according to the latest official figures. They show that average weekly earnings in manufacturing in March were just 1.6 per cent up on the same month last year. With the number of hours worked falling slightly to an average of just over 40 a week, average hourly earnings rose slightly faster by almost 3.3 per cent.

The figures show that moderate earnings growth is continuing despite buoyant economic growth. The March figure is only a slight increase on December when the data showed a 1.5 per cent annual, rise in weekly earnings in manufacturing.

The latest Central Statistics Office figures indicate that there are no signs of inflationary pressures showing through in manufacturing wages.

Meanwhile, separate figures for public sector employment show that total numbers fell from 215,600 in December of last year to 214,900 in March of this year. However, the March total which excludes the health services was still 1,400 higher than the same month in 1995.