Easter period helps employment in Spain

The number of people out of work in Spain fell by 4,979 in March from the previous month, as an early Easter holiday season pushed up labor demands in the service sector, data released by the Spanish Ministry for Employment and Social Security showed on Tuesday. According to the ministry, some 5.04 million people are currently unemployed in Spain, about 284,000 more than a year ago. But youth unemployment for people under 25 years old, which is the most affected age group with more than 50 percent of them out of work, experienced a 5.7-percent decrease year on year, with almost 30,000 youngsters finding a job over the past year. Secretary of State for Employment Engracia Hidalgo said the latest data was an improvement on the 2012 figures, but stressed caution in the meantime. Upcoming warm weather and the expected arrival of foreign tourists should further contribute to improvements in the country's employment, especially in the service sector in the coming four months, the ministry said, adding that whether the trend could last longer remained to be seen.