ROME - Unemployment in Italy in November 2015 hit a three-year low of 11.3 percent, according to preliminary labour market data from Italy’s national statistics agency, Istat. 

  According to the data, in November there were 2,871,000 people looking for work, a decrease of 48,000 from the previous month, and a decrease of 479,000 since November 2014. 

  The positive November employment results were thanks to an increase in permanent full-time jobs and a decrease in temporary work contracts, Istat said. Permanent work contracts grew by 40,000 units (+0.3 percent) whilst temporary work contracts dropped by 32,000 (-1.3 percent) over October.

  Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi has credited his government's Jobs Act labour reform as the reason for the positive results. "Unemployment continues to decrease," he tweeted. "This proves the Jobs Act is working. Italy is back on track, starting from labour".

  However Federconsumatori and Adusbef consumer groups have disagreed, saying unemployment is still too high. "We continue to be astonished at the optimism expressed in the face of the alarming figure of 11.3 percent unemployment," the two associations have said. 

  "Until the country takes the path of growth and development... there will be no true and lasting recovery," they said, urging the government to invest in research and innovation, infrastructure, tourism, and the nation's cultural heritage.

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