KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Statistical Institute of Jamaica’s (STATIN) Labour Force Survey shows that the number of people employed as at January 2016 increased by 31,400 to 1,163,600.
Further, that the unemployment rate fell to 13.3 per cent, one percentage point lower than the corresponding period in 2015, and 0.2 per cent less than last October.
The survey also revealed that the total labour force increased by 21,500 persons to 1,341,700 in January.
This was disclosed by Director General of the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ), Colin Bullock, during the agency’s quarterly media briefing at its New Kingston offices, on Wednesday.
Bullock said 11 of the 16 industry groups recorded higher employment levels, including the wholesale and retail trade, which increased by 14,200 persons; construction, up 9,800 persons; and hotels and restaurants, up 6,500 persons, the same as those who were involved in other community, social and personal service activities.
The Director General said several factors contributed to the increased number of persons comprising the labour force.
These, he outlined, include: an increase in the working age group, 14 years and older, by 4,100 persons; and a contraction in the number of persons outside the labour force by 17,500, citing several reasons for the latter outcome.
These, Bullock said, were: 25,100 who indicated that they ‘did not want work’; 1,900 who said they ‘do not need a job’; and 1,600 who advised that they were ‘at school part-time’.
Its saying 31K people GAINED employment