Permits for new dwellings fell to 6.6 per cent in the third quarter of the year compared with the previous quarter, according to official statistics.

Houses permits decreased by 5.7 per cent while apartment permits dropped by 6.7 per cent, the National Statistics Office said, but this took into account seasonal fluctuations.

Meanwhile, employment in the building industry dropped by 0.4 per cent, according to year-on-year statistical indicators.

While jobs increased in general construction and civil engineering, there was a decline in specialised construction activities.

Reported wages and salaries for the third quarter of the year were up by 1.2 per cent compared with last year.

This was accounted for in all sectors, including the construction of buildings (0.2 per cent), civil engineering (4.4 per cent) and specialised construction activities (1.3 per cent).

The number of hours worked also declined by 0.6 per cent compared with last year.

Compared with the last quarter, when taking into consideration seasonal fluctuations, employment increased by 0.2 per cent while hours worked and wages declined by 2.6 and 2.3 per cent respectively.

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