Jobless total up for 12th month
Nearly three million people looking for work as minister says unemployment is the "No1 priority"
JOBLESS figures have risen for the 12th consecutive month with nearly 2.9 million people now registered as looking for work at the Pôle Emploi.
The 0.1% increase was announced by Work Minister Michel Sapin who said that there was no sign of a turnaround in the employment market - although the rise in jobless numbers was slowing. Last month 4,300 new people signed up at the Pôle Emploi, down from the 16,000 in March.
Sapin said these figures had been affected by Nicolas Sarkozy's presidential campaign, which included extra aid to some companies to prevent lay-offs.
Over-50s are being especially hard-hit by the recession as jobless numbers have risen 15.6% over the past year.
Mr Sapin said union figures presented this week to Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault - which pointed to 45,000 jobs in danger - were "realistic" and he said that the government's priority was to push back unemployment.
"Unemployment is a priority for the government because it is the priority of the French, their No1 concern."
Speaking on Europe 1 radio, he said that the government's plan for a "contract between generations" [which will ease social charges for older workers if a younger employee is taken on] was just one solution among many.
"The idea is to help young people find a first job. Look at the trades: a young worker starts and is put next to an older one who teaches them. It's natural and we need to develop it."
Front National leader Marine Le Pen said that "nothing has been done" to turn round the jobless figures. The government's hopes of encouraging growth through European measures were, she said, deluded and "brave decisions" were needed for the future instead of looking towards a "European utopia".
