Economists expect the latest job figures will show a further easing in the unemployment rate and another solid rise in the number of people employed, reflecting Victoria’s recovery from a prolonged COVID-19 lockdown. The December labour force report is released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics on January 14. The median forecast is for a 50,000 rise in the number of people employed after the 90,000 jump in November. This is expected to see the jobless rate ease to 6.7 percent from 6.8 percent, and a further pull back from the 22-year high of 7.5 percent seen in June last year and during the depths of the recession. Recent strong vacancy and job advertising figures suggest the labour market should see further strength in coming months, dating both Treasury’s and Reserve Bank’s forecasts. Only last month Treasury forecast a jobless rate of 7.25 percent by June this year, while in …