Employment in Czech Republic in January highest since 1993

Employment rate in the Czech Republic grew to 71 percent in January, the highest level since 1993.

Unemployment stayed at 4.6 percent for the third month in a row, the Czech Statistical Office (CSU) announced today. The CSU uses a method different from the Labour and Social Affairs Ministry for unemployment statistics.

"Industrial production follows the excellent trends from last year and growing demand for workforce is visible among companies, in particular from technical sectors," Confederation of Industry president Jaroslav Hanak commented on the data.

"Warmer weather also had an influence on the employment rate as seasonal work could last longer," he added.

The confederation pointed out that with the record employment, companies offer almost 108,000 vacancies and have no people to fill them. Companies lack increasingly more technically educated people and many companies are unable to find even employees for economic professions. The confederation expects unemployment to be falling gradually in the spring months.

"Constant fight for every employee is visible. Their dramatically growing shortage is a growing barrier to new orders for many firms," Hanak said.

Demand of industrial companies is high for technical professions like welder, metal worker, machine fitter, electrician and CNC machines mechanic, among others, Hanak added.

Source: ČTK