CROATIA HAD 386,200 JOBLESS IN JANUARY

ZAGREB, Feb 16 (Hina) - According to the latest data from the Croatian Employment Bureau, Croatia had 386,168 unemployed persons in late January, which is 7,600 more than in December last year and 35,500 more than in January last year. Of the entire jobless population, a total of 104,700 or 27.1 percent sought employment for the first time in January, which is 5.3 percent more than in the same period last year. The other 281,500 or 72.9 percent had some previous work experience. During this January, 25,900 persons were registered with the Employment Bureau, which is 18.5 percent more than in January last year. Of that number, 81.5 percent had some previous work experience. At the same time, 8,500 unemployed found jobs, which is 43 percent more than in the same period last year. The share of women in the population of the unemployed has increased to 203,900, which is a rise from 52.3 to 52.8 percent. Persons aged between 20 and 24 account for the largest part of the jobless population (19.4 percent). Most unemployed persons are skilled and highly skilled workers (34.9 percent) while persons with higher education account for the smallest part of this population (3.1 percent). The number of those on the dole in January increased in relation to last year by 12,500 and is now 74,000. During January 2001, a total of 13,100 new jobs were registered with the Employment Bureau, which is 58.3 percent more than last year. According to reports on signed work contracts, sent to employment services, 7,000 work contracts were signed in January, which is 26.2 percent more than last year's January. (hina) sb rml