Just over half a million (544,600) workers were ready and willing to work more hours in September 2006 according to this ABS report. The vast majority (483,900 or 89%) of underemployed workers were working part-time. They represented 17% of all part-time workers in the labour force. Just over half a million (544,600) workers were ready and willing to work more hours in September 2006, according to figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). Underemployed workers are either part-time workers who want (and are available for) more hours of work than they currently have; or full-time workers who worked part-time hours during the reference week for economic reasons. The vast majority (483,900 or 89%) of underemployed workers were working part-time. They represented 17% of all part-time workers in the labour force.