Unemployment

Unemployment in Turkey fell to 9 percent in April, marking its lowest point in 10 months, official data has shown.

The monthly unemployment rate was recorded at 9 percent in April, as there were 2.6 million people seeking employment during this period, which comprises of March to May, the Turkish Statistical Institute (TÜİK) has announced.

The unemployment of the masses who have flocked to the big cities will not ease unless industry is developed, especially the industry that is capable of exporting Turkish Statistical Institute (TÜİK) released the employment-unemployment data of 2013 according to provinces.

Unemployment is continuing to decrease slowly but steadily, as it contracted by 0.2 percent in April from the same month in 2013 to amount to a seasonally adjusted rate of 27.3 percent, according to data released on Thursday by the Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT). In March it had also stood at 27.3 percent.

By Christina Kopsini

Not a single measure has been introduced over the past few years aimed at helping jobless Greeks who are middle-aged or older. Labor Ministry officials behave as if unemployment is not an issue among people in those age groups.

Unemployment rates in Bulgaria have recorded a slight decrease in June, according to the National Employment Agency.

A total of 10.7% of Bulgarians were unemployed in June which is some 0.5 percent less than the levels recorded in May.

In June, the unemployment rates marked the most dramatic decline since 2004 - some 16,000 fewer unemployed.

Unions: Labor Law "open servility to foreign interests"

BELGRADE -- The Confederation of Autonomous Unions of Serbia (SSSS) says changing the Labor Law without a public debate represents "open servility to foreign interests."

Summer sales at retail stores are to begin on July 14 and run until August 30, it was announced on Monday.

Shops will remain open on Sunday, July 10 from 11 a.m. to 8 pm.

Greek retail sales by volume rose 7.3 percent in April compared to the same month last year, marking the strongest rise in more than two years.

As many as 130,000 commercial enterprises shut down during Greece’s six-year economic recession while no more than 45,000 new ones opened, which translates into a net loss of some 85,000 businesses.

At the same time an estimated 575,000 small and medium-sized enterprises were forced to stop operating, while 265,000 new ones were started.

In May, the unemployment rate in Bulgaria preserved its level from April and was 11.9%, but decreased by 1.1% compared to May 2013, according to Eurostat.

A total 399,000 Bulgarians were unemployed in May 2014 compared to 402,000 in April and to 439,000 a year ago, the latest data of the European Statistical Office shows.

By Stefan Riecher

The euro-area unemployment rate was unchanged in May as the currency bloc struggled to shake off the legacy of the debt crisis.