The unemployed last month numbered7,594, up by 581, or 8.3 per cent, over the corresponding month in 2012.
 
The National Statistics Office said data provided by the Employment and Training Corporation (ETC), showed a year-on-year growth of 751 persons (11.9 per cent) registering under Part 1 of the unemployment register and a drop of 170 persons (24.8 per cent) registering under Part 2.

From a geographical point of view, registered unemployment in Malta rose by 8.6 per cent to 6,845, while that in Gozo went up by 5.3 per cent to 749.

The unemployed aged 45 and over went up by 9.9 per cent to 3,113 when compared to 2012 levels.

An increase of 579 persons was recorded in registrants whose duration of unemployment exceeded one year. On the other hand, persons who had been registering for less than 21 weeks decreased by 57. There was a slight downward shift in registrants with a disability, totalling 505 during the month under review, of whom 429 were men.

In line with past trends, the largest share of unemployed men were seeking occupations in services, and crafts and related jobs, whereas unlike past trends women mostly sought technical and associated professional occupations.

PN CONCERN

The Nationalist party in a statement said it was seriously concerned by the substantial increase in unemployment, more so as the media had reported that two major firms were also planning layoffs or reducing the working week.

PN deputy leader Mario de Marco and finance spokesman Tonio Fenech expressed solidarity with the workers and urged the government to help the factories which are in difficulty.They recalled how the former government had helped such companies in the past so that they ended up attracting new work and eventually creating new jobs. The PN criticised the government for the absence of a jobs policy and said it was offering its cooperation for such a policy to be drafted.