The upward trend in the registered unemployed which began developing well over a year ago is continuing unabated. A news release by the National Office of Statistics (NSO) says that data provided by the Employment and Training Corporation (ETC) indicate a year-on-year increase of 751 individuals (11.9 per cent) in October over a year ago.

This refers to those registering under Part 1 of the unemployment register. The registered unemployed under Part 2 dropped by 170 (24.8 per cent) in the same period.

From a geographical point of view, said the NSO, registered unemployment in Malta rose by 8.6 per cent, to 6,845 taking both registers into account. While that in Gozo went up by 5.3 per cent, to 749.

The composition of the registered unemployed also bears close scrutiny. Registrants aged 45 and over went up by 9.9 per cent, to 3,113 when compared to 2012 levels. This is the age group which finds it hardest to get re-employment.

The length of time the unemployed stay on the register is also significant. An increase of 579 individuals was recorded among registrants whose duration of unemployment exceeded one year. This total rose to a highly significant total of 3,108, suggesting that the bulk of unemployment is hard core. On the other hand, those who had been registering for less than 21 weeks dropped marginally, by 57, to reach 3,036, a roughly stable level suggesting that relatively new entrants in the labour market are not finding it too difficult to find a job, in contrast with those with considerable working experience.

One item of good news is that there was a slight downward shift in registrants with a disability, totalling 505 in the month under review. These were preponderantly males – numbering 429. Females totalled 76.

The NSO said that in line with past trends the largest share of unemployed men were seeking occupations in services and crafts-related jobs.

Unlike past trends, the NSO observes, in October women registrants mostly sought technical and associated pro­fessional occupations.

The only change was one of signals – the current government is indicating that it will welcome development projects, even at the risk of controversy

The NSO news release includes tables looking at the unemployed from various dimensions, going back to 2011 averages. They all tell practically the same story. The ETC must have more details than it publishes. I would imagine that it is analysing sector by sector to determine where exactly people are losing their jobs.

This will provide more insight on the size and quality of the problem. It is not one related to politics, such as the change in government after the March election. Unemployment was on the increase well before that. Why? There had not been any change in policies by the previous government. Nor, it must be said, was there any change by the present government.

The only change was one of signals – the current government is indicating that it will welcome development projects, even at the risk of controversy.

Meanwhile the drive in the growth sectors of the economy, particularly financial services and electronic gaming, enjoys bi-partisan support and continues without break.

In this regard the October data regarding registered female unemployed requires much closer attention.

Recently data were supplied regarding the numbers of expatriates staying in Malta, some 10,000 in all. Most of them would be working. One can assume that there are also immigrant workers employed in the underground economy, and not included in the 10,000 total. Is that a factor pushing locals out of low level unemployment opportunities? There is no hue and cry to suggest that.

More likely, as in the traditional case of maturing economies, there are jobs which Maltese and Gozitans are turning away from, leaving them to legal (EU) or illegal (boat people) immigrants. Also, there might be a worsening mismatch between job vacancies and the registered unemployed.

The economic and fiscal discussion in the country at large centres a great deal about the Gross Domestic Product and various indicators as a percentage of it. Nevertheless the main measure of how well a country’s policies are doing is largely reflected in the level of employment and unemployment.

Malta has not been and is not doing badly.

The gainfully occupied population remains on the increase.

Unemployment as a percentage of GDP is low and marginally falling. Yet the absolute level of the unemployed, although not horrendous, is unacceptable. Especially so since it continues to grow.

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