Over 19 000 on breadline

FOUR THOUSAND, ONE HUNDRED Barbadians became unemployed in the last year.

That, essentially, is what the 13.2 per cent unemployment rate at the end of June means with 19 100 people now on the breadline.

This compares with the unemployment rate at the end of June last year when 10.5 per cent of the labour force or 15 000 people were without jobs.

And last night, analysts contended the announcement by the Economic Affairs Division of an increase in unemployment in the second quarter, April to June, mirrored what was happening in the wider economy with Government revenues under-performing.

“According to these numbers the rise in the unemployment rate from 10.5 to 13.2 over the course of the year suggests the economy is not recovering; it appears to be worsening,” said economist Dr Clyde Mascoll of the Opposition Barbados Labour Party.