The jobless rate in the Czech Republic hit an all-time high in January,
when it increased to 8.6 percent from 8.2 percent in December 2013, the
Employment Office said Monday. The number of unemployed reached 629,274 at
the end of January, which is 32,441 more than at the end of 2013. Despite
the mild winter, unemployment was affected by the suspension of seasonal
work in construction, agriculture and forestry. A moderate decrease in
unemployment can be expected in the second half of this year, when
economic
revival should influence the labour market.