Unemployment in Balearics fell in February

THE Balearic Ministry of Employment announced yesterday that unemployment in the Balearics had fallen in February, “in the middle of the low season”, for the first time in the last four years. It also said that indefinite work contracts formed more than 14 percent of the total of work contracts awarded in February which is three points above the national average. The department was talking about its analysis of the figures published yesterday by the national Ministry of Employment. These showed that the number of unemployed people registered in the Balearic Employment Offices of INEM at the end of February had dropped by 2'843 people in relation to the end of January. This is a fall of 5.92 percent which means that the number of unemployed people is now 45'193 and the Balearics is the autonomous region with the biggest fall. In relation to February 2005, unemployment in the islands has fallen by 2'695 people, 5.57 percent. This discrepancy is explained by the fact that Majorca now has 2'813 less unemployed people but the other islands have had an increase, 63 on Minorca and 83 on Ibiza and Formentera. Unemployment has fallen equally for men and womenand. The biggest falls have been in service, construction and industry.