People working under an employment contract at the end of June were 2.4 million, down 0.4% from the end of March, according to preliminary figures of the National Statistical Institute.

The drop was largest for construction at 4.9%, followed by administrative and support services (4.7%).

The number of employees under an employment contract increased from March in seasonal activities, including accommodation and food services by 26% and agriculture, forestry and fishing by 10.9%.

By economic activity, the proportion of employees under an employment contract was largest in manufacturing at 23%, followed by wholesale, retail trade, repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles (18.1%). Their numbers decreased from March respectively by 3.5% and 0.7%.

At the end of June employees under an employment contract were 4.1% fewer than a year earlier, the drop being largest for other services at 12.3%, followed by manufacturing with 10.8% and construction with 7.7%.

The average monthly wage in June increased by 8 leva in nominal terms from March. The average monthly wage in the second quarter of 2009 went up 4.4% to 588 leva from the first quarter. Average monthly wages grew most in finance and insurance by 14.2%, followed by public administration, defence and compulsory social security (9.9%).

The average monthly wage grew 15.3% in the second quarter from a year earlier. The highest salaries were paid to employees working under employment contracts in finance and insurance (1,355 leva), followed by electricity and heat generation and distribution, and information and communications.

The lowest paid employees were in accommodation and food services with 387 leva, administrative and support services with 425 leva, and agriculture, forestry and fishing with 446 leva.

Compared with a year earlier, the average monthly wage in the second quarter grew 16.9% in the public sector and 14.3% in the private sector.

Source: BTA