Registered unemployed steady year on year

The number of unemployed persons registered at the District Labour Offices on the last day of October 2006 reached 10,767 persons, the same level as in October 2005.

Compared with the previous month, the number fell by 325 persons to reach 11,092.

The Statistical Service reported that the decrease was mainly recorded in the sectors of education and public administration.

As reported in the Financial Mirror last week, registered unemployed figures may be artificially boosted by those who register for six months after they retire.

At the same time, they may be artificially depressed by those who do not register because they would not be eligible for benefits.