Unemployment rate in Czech Republic drops to 8.7 pct

The unemployment rate in the Czech Republic in May dropped to 8.7 percent, a decrease of 0.5 percent compared to the previous month, according to government figures released on Tuesday. Some 515,000 Czechs sought employment in May, which represented more that 15 workers per one vacancy. Last May, however, the unemployment rate was lower, at 7.9 percent. Analysts say seasonal employment, new jobs as well as community work contributed to the lower jobless rate in the third consecutive month; they point out however that fewer people were able to find jobs in May than in the previous month.