The Manx government's moves to tighten up on the issuing of new work permits in low-skilled sectors has helped to keep unemployment down,
That's according to the latest economic report to the Council of Ministers, which shows 600 less permits were given in the 12 months to the end of March 2010 compared with the year prior to that.
The report – covering the first quarter of the year – notes the Island’s unemployment rate of 2.2% at the end of March (since reduced) compared favourably with the UK rate of 6% and the EU average of 7.5%.
The report says the Department of Trade and Industry pledged in February and March last year to refuse work permits to new arrivals to the Island in five low skilled sectors where there was a clear availability of suitable Isle of Man workers.
The Department of Economic Development, which took over such matters in the government shakeup earlier this year, says that ploy continues to limit local unemployment.
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