He also noted that said rapid hiring rates would come at the expense of productivity growth, which he described as "abysmal". Output per worker is expected to remain weak until the end of this year and not return to pre-crisis rates until the latter half of 2017. GDP per capita is also not expected to return to pre-crash levels for another three years. "In the G7 perspective, we're really on our own with Italy with regards to our productivity performance," said Mr Kirby.