Manufacturing ULC rose by 0.6 per cent in the first
quarter, lower than the 4.6 per cent increase in the
preceding quarter. The moderation in manufacturing
ULC growth came on the back of stronger productivity
growth in the sector. Services ULC also increased
by 3.9 per cent in the first quarter, as most services
industries registered positive ULC growth. Notably,
the ULC for the accommodation & food services
sector rose by 6.5 per cent, driven by a rise in total
labour cost. By contrast, construction ULC fell by 0.1
per cent, a reversal from the 0.7 per cent increase
in the previous quarter, as the sector registered
stronger productivity gains.