Republic jobless rate rising fastest

By Niamh Hennessy IRISH unemployment rates will rise at one of the fastest rates in Europe this year and next, according to a report that analysed data from 30 of the world’s top nations. Along with Ireland unemployment will rise most in Spain, Iceland and Turkey. The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) said the number of unemployed will jump by a million people in rich nations this year and double that in 2009 as global economic growth slows. It also said women are 20% less likely to be in work than men, while ethnic minorities face a much longer job search than other people. It said past reforms have helped level the playing field, but more needs to be done, including the enforcement of existing anti-discrimination laws and the introduction of policies that encourage non-discriminatory hiring. In... [read full story]