I’ve been perusing through the web looking at articles about unemployment in Germany and the U.S. Since the economic downturn in 2008, Arbeitslosigkeit (unemployment) has skyrocketed in Germany, U.S. and elsewhere in Europe. 
 
Before things went sour (economically) Germany had seen a record high in Arbeitsplatz (employment): 40.3 million, the highest level since Wiedervereinigung (reunification) in 1990. The labor market reported, in January ‘09 that the amount ofArbeiter (workers) without employment rose by 18,000 in December ’08. Analysts also said the number of German jobs lost would rise to 30,000. 
 
Though the minds of German and American job seekers are still filled with doom and gloom about the job market, there are signs of jobs coming onto the market. 
 
Market Watch reported the number of unemployed German workers was down by 3,000 in December ’09, but warned the number could rise again. There is some speculation about the accuracy of this number. 
 
A program called “Kurzarbeit” or short term work is in effect. Employers, instead of losing jobs, are degradierte (demoted) to work fewer hours during the week, but receive full-time pay, which is subsidized by the federal government. Depending on your reason for “Kurzarbeit,” the government pays 67%-80% of your Arbeitslohn (wages).  

die Arbeit – work

die Arbeitslosigkeit –  workers
der Arbeitsplatz – employment
die Arbeiter – workers
degradierte – demoted
der Arbeitslohn – wages

die Wiedervereinigung – reunification

kurzarbeit – short term work