A report into job losses at BlueScope Steel in October 2011 has found just 170 of the 700 employees who left Port Kembla have found employment.

The figures are contained in a report compiled by the federal Department of Industry and Innovation.

Australian Workers Union Pork Kembla branch secretary Mr Andy Gillespie says the figures show not enough is being done to generate new manufacturing jobs to replace those lost in the Illawarra.

Mr Gillespie said that the AUD 30 million Illawarra investment fund does not go nearly far enough. He added that "Thirty million dollars needs to be more like AUD 300 million. There are some industries and some companies out there that aren't getting a look in. I think the process is a little bit long and I think we need to move on with that and start creating some job opportunities in bringing more people or developers into the Illawarra, people want to develop the manufacturing industry."

Mr Gillespie said that people are packing up and leaving. He added that "We know that a number of our members or ex members have left the area, left the district and gone to live elsewhere where the opportunities are much better for them to get better job opportunities for their families. So there has been an exit from the Illawarra to other places such as Queensland and Western Australia."

A spokesman for Minister Mr Greg Combet says the figures do not take into account the large number of people who retired and are no longer seeking work.

(Sourced from www.abc.net.au)