The number of registered unemployed in March stood at 7,350, up by 384 over the same month last year, the National Statistics Office said.

It said that administrative records held at the Employment and Training Corporation indicated an increase of 588 people, (9.4 per cent), registering for work under Part 1 of the unemployment register, to 6,853.

Part 1 includes new job seekers who have left school, re-entrants into the labour market, and job losers who have been made redundant by their former employers.

Those registering under Part 2 dropped by 204, (29.1 per cent), to 497. Overall, the number of people on the register went up by 384, or 5.5 per cent.

Part 2 includes workers who have been dismissed from work due to disciplinary action, left work of their own free will, refused work or training opportunities or were struck off the register after an inspection by the law enforcement personnel.

In the twelve months to March, unemployment on the mainland increased by 372, (6 per cent), while unemployment in Gozo edged up by 12, (1.6 per cent).

When compared to last year, the number of registered unemployed aged 45 and over increased by 6.7 per cent: up by 7.9 per cent in Malta and down by 5.3 per cent in Gozo.

People aged under 20 registering as unemployed decreased by 47 (9.2 per cent).

Registrants whose duration of unemployment exceeded one year went up by 437, (18.7 per cent). Unemployed who have been on the register for less than 21 weeks decreased by 158, (5.2 per cent).

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