Unemployment rate in Bahrain has dropped, according to latest figures.

The Labour Ministry's report for the third quarter of 2014, which was reviewed by the Cabinet yesterday, showed that the rate was steady at 3.6 per cent compared with 3.7 per cent in the second quarter of the year, said a report in the Gulf Daily News (GDN), our sister publication.

"The number of unemployed has reached 7,018 citizens at the of the end of September," Labour Minister Jameel Humaidan said in the report.

"Those are divided into 1,027 males (15 per cent) and 5,991 women (85 per cent).”

"The unemployment for third quarter is 3.6 per cent, compared with 3.7 per cent in the second quarter and four per cent in the first quarter."

The report also stated that the unemployment rate among women had increased between July and September.

"Female ratio has risen to 36 per cent of the total employed in September, after it was 34 per cent at the end of the second quarter of the year," it said.

"Although this percentage has improved it is still less than hoped and there needs to be a greater efforts to remove more obstacles facing female recruits, as well as providing more incentives for them."

The report said the average monthly wage for university graduates in September was BD416 ($1,080).

"This is a clear indication of the success of the country's efforts to encourage the private sector to raise wages of university graduates to at least BD400 per month," it said.

Furthermore, there has been a significant increase in the number of trainees under the ministry's and Supreme Council for Vocational Training's supervision.

"It has increased from 9,401 trainees in July to 12,404 in September, an increase of 32 per cent,” said the report.

Shaikh Mohammed conveyed His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa's appreciation to the Cabinet on its congratulating him over his successful medical tests.

HRH the Premier also thanked the Cabinet for its tremendous efforts to serve the nation and the citizens, the Deputy Premier told the session, adding that the Premier will return to the kingdom soon. - TradeArabia News Service