Rio de Janeiro, February 18, 2004 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - A study conducted by the IBGE (Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics) demonstrates that industrial unemployment grew in 11 of the 14 areas included in the survey. Once again the industrial sector in São Paulo, with a 1.7% drop, had the biggest impact on the overall rate, which fell 1.3%. Jobs were lost in nine industrial branches, especially in clothing (-22.7%) and paper and printing (-11.4%).

Minas Gerais and Paraná were exceptions to the rule. Industrial employment grew 0.2% in both states, where the impulse came from the food and beverage sector, responsible for 10.6% of industrial jobs. (DAS)