Sharp increase in Balearic unemployment

Unemployment in the Balearics is on the increase and last month the number of jobless in the region rose by 4'122 people. The latest figures mean that 5'25 percent of the active population are out of work and October's increases in the number of unemployed represents an increase of 28 percent in comparison to figures for September. In comparison to figures for October 1999, unemployment is up by 609 people, 3.35 percent, but the increases in October 1998 and 1997, were slightly higher. There are currently 7'400 men out of work, 1'336 more than in September and 11'368 women, 32.46 percent higher than during the previous month. The biggest increases in jobless have been in the service sector, 36 percent, followed by the agricultural and industrial sectors, but there has been a very slight, 0.93 percent, decrease in the construction sector.