Brazil's unemployment remains steady

BRASILIA, Brazil, May 25 (UPI) -- Brazil's unemployment rate did not change during April, holding at 10.8 percent, the Brazilian Census Bureau reported Wednesday.

It was the first time in three months the rate hadn't increased. The joblessness rate also fell within forecasts of between 10.8 percent and 11.4 percent.

Unemployment was surveyed in Brazil's six largest cities: Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Belo Horizonte, Porto Alegre, Salvador and Recife.

Joblessness earlier this year dipped below 10 percent for the first time since President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva assumed office in January 2003.