The number of full-time jobs increased by 2.6 per cent in July over the same month last year, the National Statistics Office said.

It said data by the Employment and Training Corporation showed an increase of 4,574 in the total labour supply, reaching 157,615.

Increases in full-time employment were mostly recorded in education and administrative and support services activities. On the other hand, full-time construction work fell by 424 jobs when compared to July 2012.

Full-time employment in the private sector grew by 2.5 per cent and public sector employment went up by 2.8.

In the month under review, the number of self-employed increased by one per cent to 18,082.Jobs held by women rose by 2,908, reaching almost 56,000.

Part-time employment also went up, by 4.3 per cent or 2,427 jobs.The economic activity that contributed mostly to this rise was wholesale and retail trade and motor vehicle repair.

The Labour Party welcomed the statistics, noting they showed the government was creating employment opportunities.

On the other hand, the PN said the government was not generating enough jobs and more was needed to keep curbing unemployment.