Unemployment climbs in 'Israel'

The rate of unemployment in 'Israel' rose in February to 6.9 percent of the workforce, according to the Central Bureau of Statistics.

According to its latest survey, there are 205,500 unemployed people in the economy, in contrast with 179,000 at the beginning of the economic crisis.

The Central Bureau of Statistics also revised the January figure, from 6.8 percent to 6.9 percent.

According to a Bank of Israel forecast, the unemployment rate at the end of 2009 will reach 8 percent or about 238,000 people.

That means that approximately an additional 30,000 workers will lose their jobs.