Commenting on the rise in unemployment, the Quarterly Review stated that “overall, the private sector accounted for all the jobs lost, as the number of persons employed in the public sector rose during the month, boosted by a significant increase in employment in government-controlled companies”.

The lower employment in the private sector was mostly due to drops in employment in manufacturing, although reductions in hotels and catering establishments and in transport, storage and communications also contributed.

Of the total number of unemployed, 44.9 per cent had been actively seeking work for less than a year, compared to 52.2 per cent in March 2003. This indicates an increase in the long-term unemployment rate.

The Quarterly Review also stated that manufacturing activity continued to increase in the first quarter of this year, supported by growth in exports of electronic components, medical and precision equipment and electrical machinery.

Manufacturing turnover reached Lm254.1 million, up by 3.9 per cent over the same period last year, despite a fall in domestic sales.

Employment in the sector continued to decline while investment in capital equipment rose sharply.

Commenting on the rise in unemployment, the Quarterly Review stated that “overall, the private sector accounted for all the jobs lost, as the number of persons employed in the public sector rose during the month, boosted by a significant increase in employment in government-controlled companies”.

The lower employment in the private sector was mostly due to drops in employment in manufacturing, although reductions in hotels and catering establishments and in transport, storage and communications also contributed.

Of the total number of unemployed, 44.9 per cent had been actively seeking work for less than a year, compared to 52.2 per cent in March 2003. This indicates an increase in the long-term unemployment rate.

The Quarterly Review also stated that manufacturing activity continued to increase in the first quarter of this year, supported by growth in exports of electronic components, medical and precision equipment and electrical machinery.

Manufacturing turnover reached Lm254.1 million, up by 3.9 per cent over the same period last year, despite a fall in domestic sales.

Employment in the sector continued to decline while investment in capital equipment rose sharply.

Commenting on the rise in unemployment, the Quarterly Review stated that “overall, the private sector accounted for all the jobs lost, as the number of persons employed in the public sector rose during the month, boosted by a significant increase in employment in government-controlled companies”.

The lower employment in the private sector was mostly due to drops in employment in manufacturing, although reductions in hotels and catering establishments and in transport, storage and communications also contributed.

Of the total number of unemployed, 44.9 per cent had been actively seeking work for less than a year, compared to 52.2 per cent in March 2003. This indicates an increase in the long-term unemployment rate.

The Quarterly Review also stated that manufacturing activity continued to increase in the first quarter of this year, supported by growth in exports of electronic components, medical and precision equipment and electrical machinery.

Manufacturing turnover reached Lm254.1 million, up by 3.9 per cent over the same period last year, despite a fall in domestic sales.

Employment in the sector continued to decline while investment in capital equipment rose sharply.