Malta registers largest unemployment decline in EU
Malta in August registered the largest annual drop in the number of unemployed from among the 27 member states, according to new figures issued by Eurostat this morning.
The EU’s statistical arm said that over a period of 12 months, Malta last August managed to slash by its unemployment rate by one per cent, the best overall performance in the EU.
In August, Malta’s unemployment rate stood at 6.2 per cent, down from 7.2 per cent in August last year.
Overall, Malta had the forth lowest unemployment rate in the EU, after Austria (4.3 per cent), the Netherlands (4.5 per cent) and Luxembourg (five per cent).
Eurostat said that the sharpest unemployment fall in Malta was registered among those aged under 25. In August the unemployment rate in this category stood at 11.2 per cent down from 14.8 per cent a year earlier.
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Mario Muscat
Oct 3rd 2010, 08:44
Although I do not always agree with the government decisions or attitude but we must also be positive when certain results are announced . I think some of us (including myself) must learn that we criticise when we feel its negative and also give praise were its due. So well done for these employment figures, hope that the trend will continue because all of us will benefit.
J oatmon
Oct 1st 2010, 15:25
Is there a 'Benefits Cheats' hotline where concerned citizens can report those working but claiming benefits and other abuses? - as they do in the UK.
V.Aquilina ( visiting Malta)
Oct 1st 2010, 18:37
I live in the UK, i think there is as i know of many Maltese in the London area who in my opinion are benefit cheats and they all live on social benefits, spending most days down the bookies or in their local pub, as well as other nationalities including the British themselves.
B Saliba ex-pat Cn.
Oct 2nd 2010, 12:38
Yes you telling me its not only in Malta but also i know of Maltese cheating the system in Brampton Canada and other cities, actually one of them is a mate if mine who lives in England, he comes to malta every year and everytime i ask him, How is work? he just laughs and says,* Working is for whimps*, i get all i need from the social or the DHSS in the UK, so there you go, Malta is not the only country where benefit cheats are laughing all the way to the banks, including the once that don't even know what a tax form looks like, ie., road tax/TV/Pool /receipts/ and the list goes on and on. so there you go sunshine.either live and let live or sit and twindle on it. This happens in every walks of life, nowadays nobody is an angel....Money Talks even here in Malta and needless to say on Gozo (worse)
A. A. Muscat
Oct 1st 2010, 15:18
As the figures reported are compiled from the records held by ETC and simply document changes on its register(s), in no way do they correspond to the number of individuals actually seeking work - at all levels, whatever the age group. Unless you register with ETC, you are invisible for the purpose of these statistics which are both numerically and factually meaningless.
Pat Hobson
Oct 1st 2010, 14:28
How many were newly employed in the civil service? Maybe the government is acting as a buffer to hide the real figures. We know it happened. What's there for it not to happen again?
Edward Darmanin
Oct 1st 2010, 14:03
AMAZING! Maltese bloggers always know best. Eurostat is wrong as always, unless they say something negative that is. In that case they're right and the same group of bloggers raise it to high heavens. Amusing and pitifull at the same time.
Ron Saliba
Oct 1st 2010, 16:28
..and i presume they do it whilst at work! Now there's a contradiction!
martha bugeja
Oct 1st 2010, 14:01
It seems that the Prime Minister's mission to saveguard employment is really accomplished. Well done and thank you
Joe Vella
Oct 1st 2010, 13:45
NO!!!!! Don't tell that to Joseph Muscat and the Doom and Gloom Brigade.
J. Borg
Oct 1st 2010, 13:36
What's the percentage rate vis-a-vis.....full emplyment and part-time workers.
I know this is good news, but one has to see all the picture.
What about wages and conditions....do we have the best or almost best in europe as well????
Edward Darmanin
Oct 1st 2010, 14:09
We have the jobs! That's what's important. Compare the situation to the rest or Europe eg Spain especially. We are lucky we have the jobs. It is then up to each and every one of us to better ourselves, yes ourselves first and foremost, and then improve our career propsects. Most people say any job is better than no job. EXEPT IN MALTA that is. We're special as always.
michael seychell
Oct 1st 2010, 14:53
M r J Borg Workers in Mal;ta do not have the best wages in the EU, but when considering the total packet which inclusdeb free Health - including free medicine for cancer patients; free Education - up to University level and beyond, and including Stipends; Public Holidays, Vacation Leave, Special Leave, and Sick Leave - more so in Goverment employment and where workers are covered by Collective Agreements;
Other Social Benefits including Children Allowance to all families; Financial Assistance to Single Parents and to Families in the lower brackets, We can mention also that the Maltese are on the lower end of Income Tax payment, more so since those earning the Minimum Wage are not Taxed at all,
Considering the above there are very few countries, if any, in the EU who who can be proud of receiving such a good packet .
Michael Seychell
Tal-Pieta
Robert Agius
Oct 1st 2010, 13:32
Do these include part time employment? If they do then it's a pretty useless statistic.
Karl Abela
Oct 1st 2010, 13:02
Thats what Gonzi's government is all about. Well Done!!
It will only be a matter of time when some moaners throw doubt on the Eurostat's statistics.
J.Cassar
Oct 1st 2010, 12:36
What matters is the 'employemnt rate' and not so much the 'unemployment rate'. The reality is that Malta has the lowest employment rate in the EU and it has not improved much in the last 10 years. Unless more people join the labour force we will never catch up with thte wealthier EU states.
P zammit
Oct 1st 2010, 17:29
Employment rate is calculated as ..100%- unemployment rate percentage. Spain has an unemployment rate of over 20%. So you say that Malta has an employment rate lower than Spain?! do your calculations well!
Maria Brincat
Oct 1st 2010, 12:26
With this dot of an island such statements do not make sense, even if we're talking about percentages. Moreover - as everybody who is in the know, knows - the unemployment figures are fiddled with month after month to show the government in a good light. In actual fact we have a HUGE unemployment and under employment problem in Malta. Ask any school leaver looking for a steady full-time job. I know - my daughter's one of them, with university degree and all.
T. Attard
Oct 1st 2010, 14:46
@ Maria Brincat ..." Moreover - as everybody who is in the know, knows - the unemployment figures are fiddled with month after month to show the government in a good light."
I couldn't agree more with Ms. Brincat. Not one of these commentators here, who are so quick to put their dear government on a pedestal, know what it's like to be unemployed for over 2 years! Despite the degree, the diplomas, the willingness to settle for much less, employment has eluded me.
So shut up all ye who are presently employed...it could be your turn someday...and you would understand what you have to go through so that those manipulating the statistics will make unemployment figures seem less than they really are!
M Mifsud
Oct 1st 2010, 12:10
Any comments please?
PJ Xerri
Oct 1st 2010, 11:44
Excellent news!! Where have all 'the prophets of doom and gloom' gone ?