According to operational data, 4,557 thousand people were employed in the economy of Belarus in January 2012. This is 2.8% less than in January 2011, the National Statistical Committee informed a BELTA correspondent. In January of the current year, organisations of the republic (excluding small businesses of non-state ownership) hired 53.7 thousand people, including 3.6 thousand people for newly created jobs. 60 thousand people were dismissed for various reasons, of which 7.2% were for absenteeism and other labour discipline violations, and 1.2% were due to staff or workforce reductions, or liquidation of organisations. The number of unemployed registered with the labour, employment and social protection authorities at the end of January 2012 was 30.6 thousand people, which is 11.1% less than at the end of January 2011, and 8.5% more than at the end of December 2011. The registered unemployment rate in Belarus at the end of January 2012, as well as a year ago, was 0.7% of the economically active population.-0-

BELTA