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Adjusted German unemployment figures fell in December
According to the Federal Employment Agency, the labor market in Germany continued to develop well towards the end of the year with only a slight increase in the number of unemployed. It rose from November to December by 12,000 to 2.3 million. Seasonally adjusted, however, the number of unemployed fell by 23,000 in a month-on-month comparison. The unemployment rate was 5.1 percent, according to BA boss Detlef Scheele. “Employment growth continued and companies’ demand for new staff has risen again. However, the pandemic situation is leading to uncertainty and, in some cases, restrictions. This is why the number of advertisements for short-time working increased sharply in December.” Federal Labor Minister Hubertus Heil said that short-time working was expensive, but without an alternative. 42 billion euros were spent on this alone in the crisis until mid-December. “Despite the Corona crisis, we were able to achieve two extraordinarily good developments in the German labor market. Never before have there been more people in jobs subject to social security contributions in Germany, over 34 million in October 2021. And what I am particularly pleased about is that youth unemployment is at its lowest level since of German unity. ” Heil announced that the increase in the statutory minimum wage to twelve euros agreed by the Ampel coalition will soon be on the way. The bill will be presented shortly. From when the increase should apply, Heil initially left open. The minimum wage is currently 9.82 euros per hour.
Federal Labor Minister Hubertus Heil also announced that the increase in the statutory minimum wage to twelve euros agreed by the Ampel coalition will soon be initiated.