The number of people registering for work in April stood at 7,176, 403 more than in the same month last year, but 174 less than in March.

Administrative records held by the Employment and Training Corporation indicate a year-on-year increase of 601 persons (9.9 per cent) registering for work under Part 1 of the unemployment register.

Those registering under Part 1 are new job seekers and people who have been made redundant.

On the other hand, people registering under Part 2 dropped by 198, or 28.9 per cent, to 486.

People registering under Part 2 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 law enforcement personnel.

The NSO said that in the 12 months to April, registered unemployment on the mainland increased by 377, or 6.2 per cent, while that for Gozo increased by 26, or 3.6 per cent.

The number of registered unemployed aged 45 and over increased by 173, or 6.2 per cent. Conversely, the number of registered unemployed aged under 20 declined by 13.5 per cent.

When compared to the corresponding month a year ago, registrants whose duration of unemployment exceeded one year went up by 441, or 18.8 per cent. On the other hand, unemployed persons who had been on the register for less than 21 weeks decreased by 174, or 5.9 per cent.