Maria João Carreiro praises "extremely positive" evolution of labour market in the Azores
Ponta Delgada
Secretaria Regional da Juventude, Habitação e Emprego
This Friday, the Regional Secretary for Youth, Housing and Employment, Maria João Carreiro, on behalf of the President of the Government, chaired the opening of FICSA - Azores Industry, Commerce and Services Fair. On that occasion, she praised the "extremely positive" evolution of the economy and labour market in the Azores since 2021.
Among the results highlighted by the government official were the Economic Activity Indicator, which rose 1.5% year-on-year in March; the Private Consumption Indicator, which rose 4.4% year-on-year in March; and the unemployment rate, which fell in the first quarter of this year to 5.7%, down 1% year-on-year.
Also in the first quarter of this year, the employed population in the Azores broke records: 121,000 people, i.e. 5,900 more employed Azoreans than in the same quarter last year.
"These indicators prove that high unemployment is not the main problem of the labour market in the Azores today, as it was until 2020," noted the government official. She stated that the ‘confidence of those investing and those producing’ is driving this "path of progress and tangible improvements in the lives of Azorean companies and families."
While companies are concerned about labour shortages, often linked to a lack of workers with the right skills for the jobs available or those companies want to create, Maria João Carreiro also stressed that there are still challenges in terms of job quality and salaries that need to be overcome.
In this regard, she defended that it is necessary to "pursue a qualitative approach to the labour market even more determination" to attract, provide training and maintain talents in companies."
From the standpoint of public intervention and support, the Regional Secretary recalled that the hiring of more than 6,900 workers has been supported since 2021, through measures such as CONTRATAR and TURIS.ESTÁVEL, with 86% of them having signed contracts of indefinite duration.
The hiring of 4,200 young people has been supported since 2021, with more than 85% signing contracts of indefinite duration. "These labour relations promote stability and career prospects, which are essential for companies to attract and maintain young talents in their workforce," she warned.
This year alone, 160 applications have already been approved under the Salary Promotion Measure, as part of the recently created "+ Young" package, to attract and maintain young talent in the Azores. According to the government official, this is "a clear sign that young Azoreans, when given the right opportunity and conditions, choose to stay on our islands or return to the Region, in the case of those who have left to pursue their studies," she stressed.
Maria João Carreiro also called on companies "not to underestimate the potential of workers" who, due to various circumstances, "remain unemployed." She defended that training, as the best employment policy, is essential for retraining the unemployed in activity sectors with recruitment needs.
The Regional Secretary also congratulated the management of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Ponta Delgada for organising FISCA. This is an event of "undeniable importance for promoting the products and services provided by companies from different sectors of our economy, a clear demonstration of their capabilities and strength," she pointed out.
