The Hunter is bracing for a spike in the jobless rate when official figures are released next week.
It comes as the national jobless rate rose from 5.2 to 6.2 percent from March to April, leaving 600,000 people out of work due to the impact of COVID-19 on the labour market.
Hunter Research Foundation Centre lead economist, Dr Anthea Bill expects the region's unemployment rate will mirror the national picture.
"I'd say there's going to be similar kinds of trends that are going to be playing out," she said.
It's likely the Hunter will have shed 15,000 jobs in a month if the national downturn is reflected in the region.
 |
| Dr Anthea Bill Picture: hrf.com.au |
