Disturbing data from the labor market
In April 2024, 43 companies reported plans to lay off 2.3 thousand employees, compared to 38 companies declaring layoffs of 1.5 thousand employees in the same period a year earlier, the Central Statistical Office (GUS) reported. At the end of April, there were 17.1 thousand announced planned group layoffs by 167 companies, which is an increase compared to 14.0 thousand employees reported by 155 companies in April 2023.
The published data shows that the unemployment rate in April 2024 was 5.1%, which is a decrease compared to 5.3% recorded a month earlier.
Expert Analysis
Mariusz Zielonka, an expert from Lewiatan, estimated that the unemployment rate is returning to its lowest levels. He pointed out that in April only 5.1% of economically active people did not work. He added that the number of unemployed fell below 800,000 for the first time this year.
“Of this number, over 300,000 are long-term unemployed people who have low chances of re-entering the labor market. These are people who either do not want to work or are unable to do work," Zielonka said. He also noted that some of these people are on the registers because they have health insurance.
Increase in Job Offers
Zielonka noted that in April the trend of declining number of job offers was broken. "A month ago, there were 2,000 more job offers than in March and nearly 9,000 more than a year earlier," the expert pointed out. He assessed that the labor market is highly seasonal and warmer months always bring an increase in demand for employees. He emphasized that the last time the number of job offers increased in April compared to March was in 2016.
Strong Labor Market
The expert noted that the labor market in Poland remains and will be "the strongest part of the economy." The increase in the number of job offers in April proves that, despite challenges, the labor market continues to demonstrate considerable strength and adaptability in the face of changing economic conditions.
Summary
Central Statistical Office data for April 2024 show both challenges and positive changes in the labor market. On the one hand, we are observing an increase in the number of planned group layoffs, on the other hand, a decrease in the unemployment rate and an increase in the number of job offers. These indicators suggest that the labor market in Poland remains dynamic and flexible, which gives hope for further positive changes in the future.
source: PAP
Comments