Rise on Jobless Rate Worries Montenegro

The unemployment rate in Montenegro has risen by a sixth consecutive month, and is now 2 per cent higher compared to the same period last year, the latest data show.

The Employment Bureau on Tuesday reported that the number of unemployed adults rose to 31,190 in September and to 32,670 this week.

The unemployment rate in October was 14.8 per cent, significantly higher than in Slovenia - 10.1 per cent - and Hungary - around 8 per cent - but still much lower than most former Yugoslav republics.  

The jobless rate in Croatia is 16.8 per cent, and in Serbia, around 22 per cent. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, about 45.6 per cent are jobless.

The highest unemployment rate in Montenegro - 32.7 per cent - was recorded in July 2000, while the lowest was in August 2009 - 10.1 per cent.

What most worries the Montenegrin government is that one-third of the jobless are university graduates.

The Employment Bureau has started a programme of professional training for university graduates, which includes one-year internships in the public and private sector, funded by the state.

"In the third cycle of the programme, which began on Monday, more than 5,000 people with university degrees will have an opportunity for a year's employment," the bureau said.

Another problem is that more foreigners than local workers appear to be getting work in the country.

Since the beginning of the year about 11,000 Montenegrin citizens has been registered as getting jobs, but the Employment Bureau  issued almost 20,000 work permits for foreigners.