Premier Matteo Renzi hailed his
government's controversial Jobs Act labour reform after Istat
reported Friday that Italy's unemployment rate dropped to 11.8%
in September, the lowest level since January 2013.
The national statistics agency said this was 0.1 of a
percentage point down on the previous month and follows drops of
0.1 and 0.5 of a percentage point in August and July
respectively.
It added that the number of people looking for work had
fallen by 264,000, 8.1%, in 12 months.
"The Jobs Act has restored credibility at the
international level and, above all, it has created opportunities
and steady jobs," Renzi said on his Facebook page.
The Jobs Act softens the laws on unfair dismissal in a bid
to encourage firms to offer steady jobs and gives newly hired
staff gradually rising levels of employment protection.
"Now is the time, Italy is getting going again," added
Renzi, whose government has embarked on reforms of various
sectors, including the civil service and the justice system, and
is seeking to overhaul the country's slow, costly political
machinery.
"There is still lots to do. But let's not forget where we
were".
After three consecutive month-on-month rises, the number
of people in employment fell in September, dropping by 0.2%
compared to August, Istat said.
The agency added that the number of employed people was
0.9% up with respect to September 2014 though, thanks to an
increase of 192,000.
The unemployment rate for under-25s who are on the job
market dropped, falling to 40.5% in September, down 0.2 of a
percentage point on August, Istat said.
The national statistics agency said 14,000 fewer
15-to-24-year-olds were looking for work.
There was also a fall of 11,000 in the number of young
people in work due to a increase in the number of people
dropping out of the job market and being considered inactive.
Economy Minister Pier Carlo Padoan, meanwhile, said that
GDP growth is exceeding expectations and employment prospects
have improved.
"The recent results in terms of GDP growth are exceeding
expectations, employment is good with better contracts. The
recovery is due to domestic demand from families and businesses
thanks to the return of confidence," he said.
Italy returned to positive growth in 2015 after years of
recession.
The government has said the economy should beat its
forecast of a 0.9% rise in GDP this year.
Padoan stressed the government's tax breaks to employers
for new hires will no gone indefinitely.
"The hiring bonus will be extended this year as well, but
it can't last forever," he said.
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