MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Employment picks up in Chile boosted by construction and social services

Following the earthquake construction is booming

A survey in June by the Economics department at the Universidad de Chile reported a 3 percentage point decline in unemployment in Santiago to 8.9%, from 11.9% in June 2009 – the largest decline since December 1991.

Attempts to recreate jobs seem to have taken off. As of June employment has shown a 6.2% increase over 12 months and the labour force a 2.7%.

Employment figures were expected to rise as the country recoups from the Feb. 27 earthquake, and many reconstruction projects began in earnest.

The strong increase in employment numbers was recorded in construction (11.4%) and trade (9.1%), as well as commercial and social services (12.7%). This increase has accordingly maintained the vigour of the retail markets allowing sales growth alongside cities’ reconstruction efforts.

Although the report has shown positive numbers and evidence of economic recovery, the numbers still remain lower than the pre-crisis levels.
 

By Dustin Zarinkow – Santiago Times