Data released by the National Statistics today indicate an overall drop in the number of unemployed and an increase in the number of people in productive employment. While these appear to be positive developments, a more in-depth look at the data released today points to a number of worrying aspects, the Nationalist Party said in a statement.

Between the last quarter of 2013 and the last quarter of 2014, the number of people working in the manufacturing sector, in the construction industry, in information technology related services and financial services decreased by a total of 2240. On the other hand the number of people employed in the public administration increased by 751, the statement, signed by Mario de Marco, Deputy Leader for Parliamentary Affairs and Shadow Minister for Finance, and Therese Comodini Cachia, Shadow Minister for Education and Employment, said.

Workers in wholesale and retail, transportation and food services, information and technology, financial and insurance services and other services saw a drop in their average annual basic salary.

These statistics are but yet another confirmation that certain sectors of the economy are not performing well. Government is keeping unemployment down by increasing the public sector headcount. This strategy, while possibly yielding positive economic benefits in the short run, cannot be sustained in the long-run. As predicted by the Opposition, employees in certain sectors of the economy are seeing their income decrease. This is happening while government is awarding lucrative contracts to political appointees without call for applications.

The time for vague promises is over. Government needs to start addressing the underperforming sectors of our economy before it is too late, the PN said.