As at the end of June 2006, there were a total of 7,061 persons registering for work with the Employment and Training Corporation (ETC), according to national statistics office figures released yesterday.

Of these, 6,601 were registering for work under Part 1, and 460 were registered under Part 2.

The number of registered unemployed dropped by 86 over the preceding month. On the other hand, when one compares the figures for June 2005 and June 2006, the number of registered unemployed increased by 131 persons.

In the twelve months up to June 2006, those persons registering for work under Part 1 have increased by 383 persons. On the other hand, those registering for work under Part 2 have decreased by 252 persons over the same period.

Persons registering for work in Malta amounted to 6,427 persons, while those registering for work in Gozo stood at 634 persons. During June 2006, the number of new registrants under Part 1 of the unemployment register amounted to 171 persons. Tables 5 and 6 show the duration of unemployment for registrants under Part 1 and Part 2 respectively. On a year-on-year basis and upon focusing on the segment of those persons whose duration of registration was under 20 weeks, the available data indicate an increase of 207 persons on Part 1 and a decrease of 246 persons on Part 2. In addition, Table 5 indicates a decrease of 128 persons among the segment of the long-term unemployed (53 weeks and over).

The most common type of occupations sought by men relates to trades and elementary work. On the other hand, women tend to go more for clerical, services and sales occupations.The unemployment rates for June 2006 are not yet available since the data on the labour supply for this month have not yet been published.