Increase in Number of Persons Employed

The Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ) is reporting an increase in the number of persons employed as at October 2013, relative to 2012.

Speaking at the PIOJ’s quarterly media briefing at the institute’s New Kingston offices on February 19, Director General, Collin Bullock, informed that a labour force survey conducted by the Statistical Institute of Jamaica (STATIN) shows that 1,100,700 persons were employed as at October 2013, which is 6,700 more than the corresponding period in 2012.

The Director General said an examination of the employed labour force by industries, shows nine of the 16 groups recording higher employment levels.

He pointed out that the largest increases were recorded in: real estate, renting and business services, up 9,000 persons; health and social work, up 8,400 persons; and construction, up 4,500 persons.

Meanwhile, Mr. Bullock said Jamaica’s workforce as at October 2013 was 1,304,800 persons, an increase of 20,900 over the figure in October 2012.

The Director General pointed out that the number of unemployed persons as at October 2013 stood at 194,000 persons, 14,100 more than the corresponding period in 2012. However, he noted that this was 21,100 and 7,600 persons less, compared with April and July 2013, respectively.

Mr. Bullock said the labour force survey also showed that the unemployment rate, as at October 2013, was 14.9 per cent. This, he noted, was 0.9 per cent higher than October 2012. He attributed this to an increase in the number of persons seeking jobs. However, relative to April and July 2013, the unemployment rate declined 1.4 per cent and 0.5 per cent, respectively, he added.

“This, therefore, represents the second consecutive downward movement in the unemployment rate. A stronger increase in the size of the labour force, relative to the increase in the number of persons employed, resulted in the higher unemployment rate for October 2013,” the Director General explained.