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By Humphrey Carter

PALMA
LAST year did not end on a happy note for the 23'294 people who lost their jobs in the Balearics during the course of 2008.
The Balearic Minister for Employment and government spokesperson, Joana Barcelo, yesterday confirmed that there are at least 73'298 people out of work in the region, an all-time high.

The unions, however, maintain that the real figure is well over 100'000 because in some cases, the jobless are not entitled to benefit and are therefore overlooked by the system and unaccounted for.

Last month, unemployment rose by 4.5 percent on the previous month as 3'154 people lost their jobs but a slightly lower increase is expected this month with part-time staff, albeit in lower numbers, being taken on for the sales.