Jobless rate grows again in August

THE NUMBER of jobless people at the end of August stood at 26,667, an increase of 4,292, or 19.2 per cent more than August last year, the Statistical Services announced yesterday.

Jobless rates were higher in the trade sector, which saw another 1.191 unemployed. In construction the figure was 781, public administration, 425, manufacturing 393, transportation and storage, 267), accommodation and food service activities, 165. There were another 851 newcomers to the jobs market left unemployed.

Opposition DISY deputy Averof Neophytou, commenting yesterday said the numbers were beginning to confirm the ‘nightmarish” estimates of an 8.0 per cent jobless rate for 2011. In July the figure was already 7.5 per cent, he said.

“It is now necessary and urgent to provide incentives for small businesses to convince them to invest and offer new jobs,” he said. “The backbone of our economy should be supported and helped as much as possible in this difficult time.”

Neophytou said that of the total number of unemployed, 12 per cent were under 25 years old, 30 per cent were under the age of 30 while 29 per cent of the total possessed a higher education.

 

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