Russia's official unemployment increased by 0.2 percent to 1.526 million people over the week of November 3-10 for the first time in the past eight months, the Ministry of Health and Social Development said on Monday.
"Last week, from November 3 to November 10, 2010, the number of unemployed people increased 0.2 percent to 1,526,518 people," the ministry said in a statement.
The ministry explained the rise in official unemployment as seasonal.
"Last year, seasonal unemployment growth started on October 28 (from October 28 to November 4, 2009, the number of unemployed rose by 0.3 percent)," the ministry added.
A rise in unemployment was registered in 46 regions.
MOSCOW, November 15 (RIA Novosti)
