Average weekly earnings of industrial workers in all industries rose by 9.6 per cent when compared with September 2000, according to preliminary estimates from the Central Statistics Office (CSO). Average hours worked weekly dropped by 2.7 per cent, while hourly earnings rose by 12.5 per cent in the same period.

Average weekly earnings of all employees (industrial, clerical and managerial) rose by 11 per cent in the year to September 2001.

Industrial employment was 272,300 in September 2001, a rise of 4,500 from September 2000 according to the CSO. Employment rose by 3,300 between June 2001 and September 2001. When seasonally adjusted, the rise was lower, at 2,400.