Thorunn Howatt
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Feb 20/02) - Despite dropping employment levels, the Northwest Territories still has a higher percentage of people at work than anywhere else in the country.

January's drop in employment reflects lower employment levels found in early winter months -- before the ice road is ready to haul equipment to the diamond mines but after summer work projects.

There were 68.9 per cent of the territory's people at work even though there were 100 fewer people with jobs in January 2002 than in December 2001.

An estimated 2,200 people were unemployed in the Northwest Territories in January -- 100 more than the previous month. Some 20,200 were employed, out of 29,300 residents aged 15 years of age and older.

The overall NWT unemployment rate stood at 9.8 per cent for January compared to a national rate of 8.6 per cent.

Declines in employment during January were most significant for full-time workers, namely those involved in the public sector. Employment increased for youth, women and people living in small communities in the territory. The employment drop-off from peak summer activity significantly impacts men.

The NWT has 6,900 people who aren't involved in the survey because they are not involved in the labour force.