Unemployment in Hesse has fallen to its lowest level since the pandemic began. Companies are still looking for skilled workers. But the rate could rise again soon.
The unemployment rate in Hesse has returned to the low pre-crisis level despite increasing economic problems. At 4.4 percent, in May it was a tenth of a percentage point below the April value and 0.9 percentage points below the value of May 2021. The Federal Employment Agency now names one for all Hessian districts except Groß-Gerau (4.9 percent). rate of less than four percent. Unemployment is highest in Offenbach (8.1 percent), in Frankfurt the rate fell to 5.6 percent.
The Hessian labor market remains robust to the consequences of the corona pandemic and the effects of Ukraine, said the head of the Hesse regional directorate at the Federal Employment Agency, Frank Martin, on Tuesday. He pointed out, for example, that workers are still in high demand. Although the number of employees subject to social security contributions is now even above the pre-crisis level, more than 54,000 vacancies are registered with the employment agencies in Hesse. For the Association of Hessian Entrepreneurs’ Associations (VhU), this high value shows a “lack of skilled workers at an alarming level”. It assumes that around 120,000 jobs in Hesse, including those not registered with the employment agencies, are unfilled. The VhU is therefore pushing for an end to retirement at 63 and for qualified immigration to be made easier.
Despite the high demand for workers, Martin expects higher unemployment figures to begin with. The fact that the job centers will take over the care of refugees from Ukraine on June 1, because they will then receive basic security, will increase the value in Frankfurt, for example, he said. The head of the Hesse regional office also points out economic risks for the labor market. He mentions price increases, especially for raw materials, and ongoing supply bottlenecks.
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