Updated 6.30pm with government statement

Unemployment figures continued to improve in May, new Jobsplus statistics have shown. 

According to data published by the National Statistics Office, the number of people registering under Part I of the unemployment register fell by 943 when compared to May 2016, with Part II applicants down by 66. All age groups except those of under 20 registered decreases.

The statistics showed that last month 2,502 people were registering for work, compared to 3,511 12 months ago. 

New job seekers who have left school, those reentering the labour market and those who have been made redundant by their previous employer make up Part I of the register. 

Those registering under Part II are either workers sacked due to disciplinary action, left work of their own free will, refused work or training or were struck off the register following an inspection by law enforcement.

When compared to May 2016, registrants for work decreased irrespective of how long they had been registering. The largest decrease was recorded among persons who had been registering for less than 21 weeks. The number of persons with a disability who were registering for work also decreased by 66 to 283. Males accounted for 67.5 per cent of total registrants with a disability, the figures show. 

The number of persons with a disability who were registering for work also decreased by 66 to 283. Males accounted for 67.5 per cent of total registrants with a disability, the figures show. 

Almost one in every five men and two in every five women on the the unemployment register sought work as clerical support workers, making the sector the most sought-after among the unemployed population. 

In December 2016, the registered unemployment rate stood at 1.6 per cent of the labour supply. 

Government statement

The government said in a statement that the number of those registering for work was now a third of the number it had found when it came into power.

Since 2013, six people every two days found work – compared to thefive yars of the previous PN administration when every two days one person would register as unemployed.

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