The number of jobless people registered with the local offices of the National Employment Agency in the first six months of this year decreased by 15% compared with the first half of last year, IPN reports.

Of all the people out of work, 10,000 looked for a job for the first time, while almost 11,000 either recently lost the job or wanted to return to work after an interruption.

The men represented 55% of the unemployed. Most of the jobless persons were aged between 30 and 49. 65% of the unemployed people had primary, secondary or lyceum education.

In January-June, the local employment offices recorded 23,900 vacancies, up 2% compared with the same period last year. Most of the vacant posts were available in industry, retail and wholesale trade, agriculture, public administration and education.

During the past few years, seamstresses have been in great demand. On the labor market, there is a shortage of qualified personnel in the light industry, with such jobs as seller and cook.

The jobs with salaries of 2,000-3,000 lei represented 35% of the vacancies, those providing salaries higher than 3,000 lei – 29%, while those with salaries agreed by sides – 23%. Compared with the first six months of last year, the number of vacant jobs with salaries higher than 3,000 increased, while of jobs with lower salaries decreased.

A number of 344 persons with disabilities were registered as unemployed, up 10% on January-June last year.

As many as 3,400 people got unemployment benefit in the period, by 27% fewer than last year.