Drop in full time employment, increase in part time

The number of people employed on a full-time basis dropped by 1,109 between February and March when compared to the same period last year but an increase of 279 part-timers was reported, the National Statistics Office said.

It said that in March, the full-time gainfully-occupied population amounted to 144,047, while the registered unemployed amounted to 7,556. Accordingly, the labour supply stood at 151,603.

Within the private sector, full-time employment dropped by 913 or 0.9 per cent, while within the public sector it went down by 196 or 0.5 per cent.

When compared to the previous month, the private sector increased by 283, or 0.3 per cent, while the public sector remained nearly unchanged.

In the 12 months to March, the main decline in full-time employment took place in manufacturing, construction, and hotels and restaurants.

Accordingly, the gainfully occupied in the manufacturing sector decreased by 869, while those in construction and hotels and restaurants decreased by 592 and 533, respectively.

The main increase in full-time employment occurred in real estate, renting and business activities, education, health and social work.

The gainfully occupied in real estate, renting and business activities increased by 734, while those in education and health and social work increased by 223 and 211, respectively.

When compared to the previous year, full-time employment declined by 0.8 per cent in Malta and by 0.6 per cent in Gozo.

Full-time employment in wholesale and retail trade increased in both Malta and Gozo.

When compared to March last year, total part-time employment rose by 2,191, or 4.6 per cent.

Part-timers also holding a full-time job increased by 772, or 3.7 per cent, while part-timers whose job was their primary occupation went up by 1,419 or 5.4 per cent.