MaltaMedia.com

Between May 2009 and May 2010, the number of persons working on a full time basis edged down by 0.1 per cent according to the NSO, whereas the number of persons engaged on a part-time basis increased by 5.3 per cent.

During May, the number of full-time employed persons stood at 144,871 whereas the number of registered unemployed amounted to 7,052. Year-on-year, the full-time employed population fell by 93, or 0.1 per cent, while the registered unemployed fell by 214, or 2.9 per cent. This resulted in a drop of 0.2 per cent in the labour supply.

On the other hand, between April and May this year, the number of persons employed on a full-time basis increased by 0.2 per cent, while the registered unemployed dropped by 7.3 per cent. This led the labour supply to fall by 259, or 0.2 per cent, month-on-month.

The labour supply and the registered unemployed declined both on an annual and on a monthly basis. On the other hand, despite the fact that the full-time gainfully occupied population is still indicating a year-on-year decline, there has been a sustained growth in the number of full-time employed persons for four consecutive months (February to May 2010).

In May, the number of persons employed on a full-time basis fell in the public sector, but increased in the private sector when compared to the corresponding month last year. In this regard, there were 226 less persons employed in the public sector and 133 more persons employed in the private sector.

In the twelve months to May, the main increase in full-timers within the private sector took place in real estate, renting and business activities and other community, social and personal service activities. These two economic activities contributed to an increase of 1,307 persons between them.

On the other hand, the main decreases in the number of full-timers engaged within the public sector were in public administration manufacturing and electricity, gas and water supply. During May, the majority of full-time employed males were engaged in manufacturing and wholesale and retail trade activities whereas most of the female full-time employed population was in education and wholesale and retail trade activities.

In the twelve months to May, total part-time employment increased by 2,529, or 5.3 per cent. The number of part-timers also holding a full-time job increased by 986, or 4.7 per cent, while part-timers whose job was their primary occupation went up by 1,543 or 5.7 per cent.

Between April and May, total part-time employment increased by 647, or 1.3 per cent. Part-timers holding a full-time job increased by 256 or 1.2 per cent, while part-timers whose job was their primary occupation increased by 391, or 1.4 per cent.

On an annual basis, the main increase in part-time employment took place in hotels and restaurants and wholesale and retail trade. On the other hand, between April and May, education alongside wholesale and retail trade were the two sectors which primarily contributed towards the rise in part-time employment.