More people finding work
Unemployment figures drop, again
February jobless rate stood at 9.8 percent, Central Bureau of Statistics figures show
TEL AVIV – The country's unemployment rate declined again in February and stood at 9.8 percent, or 262,000 jobless Israelis, Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS) figures show.
In January, the jobless rate stood at 9.9 percent.
The latest figures mark a continuous decrease in the number of unemployed, a trend that started in January 2004. In November and December 2004, the jobless rate stood at 10 percent.
CBS officials say jobless figures have been characterized by irregularities as a result of the changing security situation, among other factors.
Labor Federation slams Netanyahu
Meanwhile, the country's Employment Service said demand for workers at its offices rose by 20.7 percent in March, compared to March 2004 figures. Overall, employers placed requests for more than 20,000 employees, marking a 15.7 percent increase compared to February.
However, the Histadrut Labor Federation is unimpressed with the latest numbers.
"(Finance Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu is moving the queue from the Employment Service offices to soup kitchens," the Histadrut said. "His policy perpetuates poverty and forces the unemployed to turn into slaves."
