... hit to construction and manufacturing jobs. However the gap has since diminished with the market recovery. Real incomes increased in each of the last four years, but the composition of income ... fell in 2009 3.5 percent, but the expansion in pensions and social assistance benefits contributed to the increase in incomes, and the vast expansion of social protection benefits continued in ... decelerating, are now all seeing an up-tick in activity. Reflecting these improving prospects, metal and oil prices have firmed in recent months. Nevertheless, continued fiscal contraction in Europe,...