Registered unemployed down again in March

The number of unemployed registered at the District Labour Offices in Cyprus on the last day of March 2007 fell by 1,830 to reach 12,986 persons, compared with 14,816 persons in February 2007.

The decrease was mainly recorded in the sectors of hotels and restaurants, public administration and construction and is no doubt related to the early part of the tourist season.

However, the number of unemployed was also down compared with the same month of 2006. The Statistical Service reported a fall of 744 people year on year which it attributed to a decrease in unemployment in the sectors of manufacturing, construction and wholesale and retail trade.

According to Labour Force Survey figures, the total number of unemployed in 2006 fell by 2,488 persons to 17,004, from 19,492 in 2005 and the average unemployment rate fell to 4.5%, from 5.3% in 2005.