Unemployment decreases by 982
In the twelve months to February, the number of persons employed on a full-time basis increased by 2,951, while the registered unemployed decreased by 892.
According to administrative records held at the Employment and Training Corporation, the fulltime gainfully occupied population during February 2011 amounted to 147,334, while those registering for work numbered 6,960. This resulted in a labour supply of 154,294, up by 2,059 (1.4 per cent) when compared to last year.
Full-time employment
The number of persons employed on full-time basis in the private sector amounted to 106,743, while those in the public sector amounted to 40,591. Overall there were nearly three full-timers in the private sector for every full-timer in the public sector
In comparison to the corresponding month last year, full-timers in the private sector increased by 3,054, or 2.9 per cent, while those in the public sector decreased by 103, or 0.3 per cent.
In the month under review, the full-time gainfully occupied population comprised 98,311 men and 49,023 women. Year-on-year, men employed on full-time basis increased by 844, or 0.9 per cent, while women employed on full-time basis advanced by 2,107, or 4.5 per cent.
Between February 2010 and February 2011, the full-time gainfully occupied population in manufacturing went up by 495, or 2.4 per cent. This was the result of an increase of 815 persons in the private sector and a decrease of 320 persons in the public
sector. The main increases within the manufacturing sector were recorded in the manufacture of rubber and plastic products and the manufacture of electrical machinery and apparatus n.e.c. (NACE 31), with increases of 207 and 183 persons respectively. On the other hand, the sub-sector where employment levels registered a decrease was the manufacture of fabricated metal products, down by 69 persons.
In the twelve months to February 2011, full-time employment in health and social work, education and financial intermediation rose by 307, 216 and 202 respectively. The increase in employment in health and social work and education was mainly recorded in the public sector, whereas the increase in employment in financial intermediation mainly took place in the private sector.
Full-time employment in construction declined by 290 persons, or 2.4 per cent, over the corresponding month last year. This decline in construction was distributed into a drop of 78 persons in the private sector and a further drop of 212 persons in the public sector.
Part-time Employment
When compared to February 2010, total part-time employment rose by 2,975, or 6.1 per cent. Of these, there were 1,842 persons whose part-time job was their primary occupation and a further 1,133 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. On the other hand, the main decline in part-time employment occurred in the education sector.