63.8 per cent with health problems are idle

The Labour Force Survey carried out in June, 2002 showed that out of the total population aged 15 to 64, 8.4 per cent have a long standing health problem or disability, the National Statistics Office said yesterday.

A total of 49.2 per cent of persons suffering from long standing health problems or disability have only a primary level of education. A total of 14,351 or 63.8 per cent of all the persons with long standing health problems or disability are not active in the labour force.

The total number of employed persons with a disability or health problem stood at 7,226, which represents one in every 20 persons of the total employed persons aged between 15 and 64 years.

From the results of the LFS carried out in June, 2002, the private sector recruited the majority of persons with a long-standing health problem or disability. In fact, the number stood at 4,433 persons.

One in every two persons suffered from a non-work related disease. Of these, 47.4 per cent were inactive and 34.6 per cent were employed.

A total of 17,223 or 76.6 per cent of persons suffering from a long-standing health problem or disability do not make use of special equipment or require personal help. Among these, 6,339, or 36.8 per cent, were employed.

Long-standing health problems or disability do not restrict the type of work chosen. In fact, 54 per cent, or 3,610 persons with a full time job do not have any limitations in the type of work which they can carry out.