Jobs website Alljobs reports that demand for workers was 9% lower in January 2009 compared with December 2008. "Forecasts officially declare that Israel has entered a recession," it states.
Alljobs reported 35,157 requests for employees in January, down from 38,795 requests in December. Alljobs CEO Revital Hendler said, "The recession has no regard for religion, gender, or residence. It affects all segments of the population and every job sector."
A breakdown of Alljobs' figures shows a direct link between the 27% drop in the number of tourists and a 36% drop in demand for workers in the resort town of Eilat. Other badly hit sectors include construction, which saw a 26% drop in demand for workers in January, education and teaching, down 17%, and administration, down 12%.
A breakdown by region showed a 12% drop in demand for workers in the north in January; a 7% drop in demand for workers in the south (which was affected by Operation Cast Lead), and the center; a 5% drop in the southern coastal plan; a 3% drop in Jerusalem and the Sharon; a 6% drop in demand for workers will to work abroad.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on February 1, 2009
© Copyright of Globes Publisher Itonut (1983) Ltd. 2009