Gość: zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
IP: *.bc.hsia.telus.net
15.12.02, 21:25
Jobs dry up in Australia's drought
Last Updated Sun, 15 Dec 2002 10:22:23
SYDNEY - The effects of the worst drought in decades to hit Australia are
spreading beyond the rural agricultural communities that have been parched
for two years. Jobs for city dwellers are beginning to dry up and prices are
starting to soar.
LETTERS FROM AUSTRALIA: A Drought Down Under
Parts of New South Wales and Queensland have not seen rain for two years,
while others are experiencing the lowest rainfall since records began in
1900.
Once-lush agricultural land has become a dustbowl, bringing many farmers to
the brink of ruin. Ranchers have been forced to slaughter cattle because they
can't feed them, and crops are down 70 per cent.
The destruction so far has been mostly localized in the Outback, but
metropolitan areas are now feeling the effects of economic slowdown.
"Whether you're a local driver in country Victoria or a mechanic in the city
here, the jobs are now in jeopardy," said Marinus Van Onselen, who runs a
large freight company in Melbourne.
FROM JULY 31, 2002: Australian farmers struggle with drought
Van Onselen's company could soon lay off 130 workers, or 20 per cent of its
workforce. "We have a number of people who will be leaving the organization
and that is a tremendous loss of expertise and a loss of skill," he said.
An estimated 20,000 jobs have been lost as transport and machinery companies
have all begun cutting staff.
Retailers say prices for food are likely to rise quickly, as well. The cost
of flour, for example, has already doubled due to supply shortages.
Prices will go up by as much as 20 per cent in the next three months, say
analysts who looked at a serious drought here in 1994. Bread, milk and meat
are all expected to cost a lot more.
And the meteorologists don't have any good news, either. They won't forecast
significant rainfall until at least well into the new year.
Written by CBC News Online staff
