December 21 (SeeNews) - There were 155,218 jobless people registered with labour offices in North Macedonia at the end of November, up from 101,819 a year earlier, official data showed, revealing the impact of coronavirus restrictions on employment.
On a monthly comparison basis, the number of unemployed people edged up 1% in November, according to data published by the country's employment agency
North Macedonia registered its first coronavirus case in late February. Since then, the government has implemented a number of measures to limit the spread of the virus, including temporary closure of shops, restaurants, bars and other public venues in March.
Restrictions were tightened again recently after daily case rates began to rise. Under the latest set of measures, shops and restaurants must close at 6 pm and all kinds of celebrations, both indoors and outdoors, are prohibited. Face masks are compulsory in all outdoor spaces.
As of Sunday, the country has confirmed a total of 78,305 infections, including 2,292 deaths, health ministry data shows.
North Macedonia's government is currently implementing a fourth package of measures aimed at reducing the impact of the coronavirus outbreak with incentives such as social assistance schemes for the unemployed, low-paid workers and retirees and wage subsidies for companies affected by the crisis.
The country's economy shrank by an estimated 3.3% year-on-year in the third quarter of 2020, after declining by an annual 12.7% in the previous quarter, the country's statistical office said earlier this month.