Labour supply up by over 2,500 people

The labour supply increased by 2,526 persons in April over the same month in 2007, according to the National Statistics Office.

The full-time gainfully occupied population increased by 3,188 persons and the registered unemployed decreased by 662 persons. In this way, the labour supply amounted to 150,095 persons. The full-time gainfully occupied population amounted to 144,009 persons and the registered unemployed stood at 6,086 persons.

In the 12-months to April, the economic activities which registered the main growth in full-time employment were real estate, renting and business activities, other community, social and personal service activities and hotels and restaurants

Accordingly, the sector of real estate, renting and business activities had an additional 1,123 workers on its books.

In the case of the sector of other community, social and personal service activities, employment rose by 769. Hotels and restaurants reported an increase of 553 persons.

On the downside, the number of the gainfully occupied persons fell in manufacturing and electricity, gas and water supply. In fact, employment in manufacturing dropped by 1,040 persons and there were 135 fewer workers employed in electricity, gas and water supply.

On a year-on-year basis, the number of self-employed persons increased by 196 to reach 16,896. The main economic activities in which the self-employed operate were wholesale and retail trade and construction.

In the 12 months to April this year, part-time employment rose by 2,529.

Among part-timers who also hold a full-time job, there was an increase of 927 persons, while those having a part-time job as their primary occupation went up by 1,602 persons.