352,417 people are currently registered with the AMS as unemployed or in training, which is 24,444 fewer than a week ago. 278,606 people are looking for a job, 73,811 are taking part in training courses, according to current figures from the Ministry of Labour. That is the lowest level since 2011, according to Labor Minister Martin Kocher (ÖVP). However, 170,099 people still pre-registered for short-time work.
Unemployment was thus well below the level of the two previous years. In March 2021, 131,797 more people were unemployed or in training. Compared to March 2020, the number of unemployed fell by 26,472.
A decrease was also recorded in registrations for short-time work, which fell from 187,127 to 170,099. “This means that 17,028 fewer employees are pre-registered for short-time work compared to last week. A comparison with the previous year also shows that significantly fewer companies had to pre-register their employees for short-time work this year,” Kocher commented on the data on short-time work in a broadcast.
The Minister explained that the positive development on the labor market was due to the further upturn in the domestic economy and to seasonal effects. The most recent opening steps could also have a positive effect on the development of the labor market. However, it is now necessary to wait and see how the situation develops due to the current geopolitical events. “An additional impetus is possible, but this may be offset by the negative economic effects of the sanctions against Russia and Belarus,” said Kocher. However, it is still too early for precise forecasts.
Source: Nachrichten
