Unemployment continues to rise in September

The ranks of the unemployed continued to rise on both an absolute and seasonally adjusted basis according to the latest figures on registered unemployment.
According to the Statistical Service, the number of unemployed registered at the District Labour Offices on the last day of September 2011 reached 26,483 persons, a rise of 5,812 or 28.1% compared with the number in September 2010.
On a seasonally adjusted basis, unemployment rose to 29,931 in September from 28,574 in the previous month.
Trade and construction were hardest hit. Compared with September 2010, there was an increase of 1,524 in the wholesale and retail trade sector and 1,101 in construction.
Manufacturing saw an increase of 677, accommodation and food service activities a rise of 485, education an increase of 384 and transportation and storage an increase of 270.
Unemployed newcomers to the labour market rose by 707.