ARKA News Agency, Armenia
Jan 17 2008

Unemployment rate reduced from 7.2% to 6.7% in Armenia in 2007

YEREVAN, January 17. /ARKA/. In 2007 the unemployment rate in Armenia
reduced from 7.2% in the beginning of the year to 6.7% at the end of
the year, the Chief of `State Employment Service’ agency of Armenia’s
Ministry of Labour and Social Issues Sona Harutiunian reported.

As of December 31 2007 about 100,000 people attended consultation at
the regional centres of the agency. 89,300 of them were registered as
job seekers, including 75,000 that receive status of unemployed.

Women constitute 73.6% of the unemployed and men – 26.4%, she said.
The Minister also pointed out the growing number of young people
applying to the agency (18.7%).

The Minister reported that 8,322 people got jobs in 2007; temporary
employment was provided to some 9,100 people. She pointed out that
the demand for the existing vacancies is not met in the country
because of the poor work conditions.

`Labour force is demanded in Yerevan, whereas in the regions there is
need for doctors, lawyers and teachers,’ she said. N.V. -0–