Jobless reaches record 5.5 per cent

by Anthony Manduca

The jobless figure has reached 5.5 per cent, the latest statistics issued by the Central Office of Statistics show. The number of unemployed for January 2000 has increased to 7,987, up from 7,695 in December 1999. Of the 7,987 unemployed, almost half, 3,681, are between the ages of 30 and 49.

There are 1,138 jobless over the age of 50 and 3,168 under the age of 30. Of the registered unemployed, 6,831 are men and 1,156 are women.

The largest single group of unemployed are those with elementary occupations, amounting to 3456 people, which amounts to about 45 per cent of the total unemployed.

The next largest group are industrial workers, with 1387 unemployed, followed by service workers and sales assistants, with 1117 jobless.

Next are crafts workers with 919 unemployed followed by 230 jobless technicians.

There are 116 unemployed skilled agriculture and fishery workers and 104 jobless professionals. In the sector grouping together legislators, senior officials and managers the number of unemployed amounts to 95.

In January 2000 the total number of people employed in private direct production amounted to 37,050 compared to 37,074 in December 1999.

The total amount employed in private services in January 2000 was 49,000, down from 49,067 in December 1999. On the other hand, the number of people employed with the public sector increased in January 2000 to 47,654 compared to 47,415 in December 1999.