Opposition urges action “before Christmas” to help the jobless

Figures for October this year show that nearly 65'000 people are now unemployed on Majorca alone (82'000 for the Balearics as a whole). The figures are an increase of 46 percent in comparison with the same month last year and 114 percent higher than the unemployment rate registered in October 2007. Font said the Council must act to “help the people of Majorca who are going through a most difficult time.” Font added: “We have an historic opportunity to aid people in climbing out of a well that simply has to have a bottom to it.” He went on to ask if the ruling government coalition is strong enough - as regional Employment Minister, Joana Barcelo has said that it is - to stop the dole queue reaching 100'000 by January next year. In today's meeting of the Council of Majorca, the opposition PP will be proposing that one of the measures to take should be to reduce the number of administration departments in government and to rein in any unnecessary spending for the rest of the year.