The sluggish economy slowed down the usual spring revival on the German labor market. “The labor market was robust overall in March,” said Andrea Nahles, head of the Federal Employment Agency (BA). “However, the weak economy is leaving its mark. We notice that because the spring revival is only moderate.” The usual decline in the number of unemployed in March was weaker than in previous years. The effects of the sluggish economy were evident across all sectors, said Nahles: “The construction, however, is particularly noticeable.” Short-time work still supports the labor market, but is no longer increasing. In January, the BA paid economic short-time work benefits for 140,000 employees. The BA recorded 2.594 million unemployed in March. That was 26,000 fewer than in February and 232,000 more than a year ago.
Employment – damper on the labor market – economy
