Unemployment rises

Registered unemployed persons numbered 7,237 in January, up by 523 overthe corresponding month last year, the NSO said today.In the twelve months to January, there was an increase of 659 persons registering for work under Part 1 of the unemployment register, reaching 6,651, while there was a decrease of 136 persons registering under Part 2 of the unemployment register, which stood at 586 during January. Overall, the number of persons looking for work under Part 1 and Part 2 of the unemployment register went up by 523, or 7.8 per cent. The number of men registering for work increased by 454, or 9.7 per cent,while the number of women went up by 205, or 15.5 per cent. The unemployed aged under 20 decreased by 46, or 10.5 per cent, in the twelve months to January. At the other end of the age distribution, registrants aged 45 and over increased by 315, or 12.6 per cent when compared to the previous year. The number of persons who have been out of work for more than one year went up by 425, or 19.0 per cent, while persons who were registering for work for less than 21 weeks increased by 55, or 2.2 per cent. In the 12 months to January, the number of persons with a disability registering...