Sonol workers demonstrate (Illustration)
Photo: Dalit Shacham
Unemployment down 3.2% compared to December 2009
Due to industrial disputes in January, February compared with December. Jobseekers number 214,018
The downward trend in unemployment figures that began in July 2009 continued through February. According to Employment Services data, February saw a drop of 3.2% in the number of jobseekers, from 221,022 in December to 214,018.
Due to industrial disputes in the Employment Services during January, February was compared to December of last year.
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There were 12,933 dismissals in February compared to 12,411 in December, an increase of 4.2%. Some 49.2% of those dismissed were women. The age group 25-34 saw the greatest number of dismissals (5,129), in keeping with previous years.
A less positive statistic in the Employment Services report was the 120,650 receiving income security benefits in February. This continues the upward trend noted during the last five months; an average increase per month of 0.44%.
The Employment Services also noted 25,400 requests for workers compared with 20,900 in February.
Director-General of the Employment Services Yossi Farhi said, "The average number of dismissals for the last three months was 11,300, compared with 19,200 in the first quarter of 2009, which was at the peak of the crisis."
