[size=75:1owm18o1]novinite 15 February 2010

7,5% of All Bulgarians Lost Their Job Y/Y

In 2009, 182 000 Bulgarians lost their jobs, according to data released by the National Statistics Institute (NSI) Monday.

The number of employed in December 2009 is down 7,5% year on year.

The sectors that have lost the most workers are the industrial production – 71 000 and construction – 35 000.

In the third quarter, the number of employed people went down by 84 000 or 3,6% - 17% have been laid off from hotels and restaurants, and in the farming sector and 9% in the construction sector.

Despite the lay offs wages have gone up. The average monthly salary in the last quarter of 2009 is BGN 606 or up 4% with wages going up 14% in the mining sector, 11% in the finance and insurance sectors, and 9% in real estate.

The wage increase during the last quarter is nearly 11% year on year.

Bulgarians working in the energy sector make the most money – BGN 1 358 monthly average, followed by the mining industry – BGN 1 015 a month. The lowest paid workers are in the tourism sector – BGN 386 a month on average, the State Administration - BGN 440 and farming – BGN 457.