The Finance Ministry said today that the private sector was behind a surge in employment int he year up to February.

Reacting to employment figures issued yesterday, the ministry said that between February 2014 and February 2015, full-time employment increased by 6,622 persons, out of which 6,180 were generated in the private sector.

"Even after accounting for the re-classification to the private sector of the persons working with the public transport operator which was temporarily classified under the public sector during 2014, during the last two years, employment in the private sector increased by over 9,574 - an average of 400 jobs per month," the ministry said.

There was also an increase of almost 600 in the number of self employed while in Gozo full-time employment increased by 134.

Over 12 months, the largest increase in full-time employment were registered in the Administrative sector and in the Professional, Scientific and Technical Activities sector which increased by 2,589, while in the Construction sector full-time employment increased by 1,111. The Wholesale and Retail sector also registered strong increases of 584 confirming the increasing purchasing power of the Maltese families. 

The Financial and Insurance activities sector continued to increase, with full-time employment up by 354 while employment in manufacturing increased by 236 in the 12 months between February 2014 and February 2015. 

Finance Minister Edward Scicluna said the labour market was keeping its positive momentum with the private sector being the prime driver.

"These results reflect the pro-business attitude of this government which is creating new opportunities and thus creating demand for productive employment as well as the various incentives to make work pay. We are confident that the new investments that have recently been announced will continue to offer further employment opportunities for years to come," he said.