According to figures released today by the Israel National Employment Service, the number of jobseekers rose around 3% in April, compared with March, to reach 235,600, an addition of 6,900 jobseekers.
17,500 people joined the ranks of the unemployed, of whom 13,060 were laid off in April. However, since April only had 13 work days, due to holidays, the number could have been higher, possibly reaching 25,522 without holidays. Apparently the number of unemployed will be more fully felt in May.
Nonetheless, the Israel National Employment Service is encouraged by the fact that while the rate of growth in numbers of newly unemployed rose 4.5% in August-December 2008, the pace was 4% in January, 2.8% in February, 1.5% in March, and only 0.5% in April.
Last week, the Central Bureau of Statistics reported that the unemployment rate jumped to 7.6% of the civilian labor force in the first quarter from 6.5% in the preceding quarter.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on May 31, 2009
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