The number of persons employed on a full-time basis in March stood at 147,355, an increase of 2,606 compared to the corresponding month last year.

The National Statistics Office said that according to administrative records held at the Employment and Training Corporation, the fulltime gainfully occupied population in March amounted to 147,355, while those registering for work numbered 6,662.

This resulted in a labour supply of 154,017, up by 1,712 (1.1 per cent) when compared to last year.

Those employed on a full-time basis in the private sector amounted to 106,747, while those working within the public sector amounted to 40,608. In comparison to the corresponding month last year, full-timers in the private sector increased by 2,688, or 2.6 per cent, while those in the public sector decreased by 82, or 0.2 per cent.

The activities of wholesale and retail trade and manufacturing employed 40.6 per cent of all private sector employees.

In contrast, half of full-time employment within the public sector had, as economic activity, either public administration or education.

Between March last year and March this year, the full-time gainfully occupied population in manufacturing went up by 440, or 2.1 per cent. The main increases were recorded for manufacturing of electrical machinery and apparatus and manufacturing of rubber and plastic products, with 233 and 200 persons respectively.

On the other hand, manufacturing of fabricated metal products dropped by 112 people.

In the 12 months to March 2011, full-time employment in real estate, renting and business activities increased by 7.7 per cent. In addition full-time employment in health and social work, education and financial intermediation rose by 300, 239 and 210 respectively.

On the other hand, full-time employment in construction and transport, storage and communication declined by 240 and 112, respectively.

When compared to March last year, total part-time employment went up by 2,883, or 5.9 per cent. Of these, there were 1,749 people whose part-time job was their primary occupation and a further 1,134 who had a part-time job in addition to their full-time employment.

The major increases in part-time employment were registered in hotels and restaurants and wholesale and retail trade. The main decline in part-time employment occurred in the education sector.