Employment had grown by 11,400 in the previous quarter. Non-residents account for most of the gains, particularly in construction and manufacturing. Essential and public services support resident employment.
Retrenchments rose from 4,620 to 4,800, while their incidence remained at two per thousand employees. The ministry identifies business reorganisation as the main driver.
In September, overall unemployment stayed at 2%, while resident unemployment reached 3% and citizen unemployment 3.1%. These preliminary figures show employment expansion alongside pressures in some sectors.