Nearly 19 thousand part-time unemployment benefits

The number of part-time unemployment benefits was nearly 19 thousand by the end of June. The part-time unemployment scheme was introduced in April and at the time involved just over 1,600 benefits. Subsequently, the number of benefits rose rapidly each month. In May and June, the number of new benefits was 7 and 10 thousand respectively. The temporary scheme was intended to retain skilled staff that would otherwise be laid off on account of the economic recession.

Most part-time unemployment benefits are paid to workers in the metal branch. In June, the number of benefits in this branch was 9.4 thousand, i.e. half of the total number of part-time unemployment benefits. In business services and wholesale and retail trade, the number of benefits was 2.6 and 2.5 thousand respectively in June. The most substantial relative increase in June (150 percent) was recorded in the metal branch. The increase in business services and wholesale and retail trade was 75 and 125 percent respectively.

Part-time unemployment benefits, period April-June 2009

Harrie Hartman and Ton van Maanen