The turn of the economy could make it tricky for those on JobSeekers to find employment.  

New Social Development figures reveal just under 188,000 people are on JobSeeker, up almost 20,000 people from last year.  

Employment specialist Jennifer Mills told Mike Hosking that she's sure many on the benefit are ready to work. 

She says the new work check-in arrangement may sharpen the focus for those who are job ready, but the question is whether those jobs exist in this market. 

Mills says margins are squeezed, profits are down, and businesses are shedding staff.  

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