One of five part-time employees wishes to work more hours
19.04.2012, 15:54According to Statistics Estonia, one out of five part-time employees would like to work more hours and is ready to do that if there is such an opportunity. In 2011, there were more than 12,000 such underemployed part-time workers.
In Estonia, there were 65,000 persons working part-time in 2011 (a tenth of the persons employed). Those part-time employees who would like to and who are able to work more hours are considered to be underemployed. In 2011, among those employed part-time, 19% wished to work more hours.
During the last three years, the share of the underemployed part-time employees has remained around 20% among the total number of the part-time employees. As a general trend, the share of the underemployed has been declining during the past decade. If in 2000 there were 30% (more than 16,000) underemployed persons working part-time, then in 2008, when the impact of the economic boom could be still felt, the corresponding indicator had decreased to 10% (less than 5,000).
The risk of underemployment is higher for disadvantaged groups on the labour market. The share of part-time employees who are underemployed is higher among non-Estonians, elderly and less qualified persons. If in the European Union as an average the share of part-time employees who are underemployed is remarkably higher for men than for women, then the respective indicator for men and women is more or less equal in Estonia.
In 2011, there were 1,500 economically inactive persons seeking work, but not available to work at once, and 44,100 economically inactive persons who would wish to work but are not actively seeking work.