A quarter of Colombia's urban workers are unemployed following an almost 11 percent increase in the jobless compared to last year, the national statistics department said on Thursday. Urban unemployment reached 24.9 percent in June, an increase of 10.7 percent on the same month in 2019. Unemployment in May was 21.4 percent. Year-on-year unemployment has soared by 14.2 percentage points, the DANE institute said. It's the worst loss of jobs since records began in 2001. Unemployment in the 13 biggest metropolitan and urban areas was 19.8 percent compared to 9.4 percent in June 2019. The number of employed people has fallen by 4.3 million to 18.3 million, DANE said. Amongst the worst hit sectors are artistic activities, entertainment, recreation and other services. Despite the ravaged economy, President Ivan Duque has extended virus lockdown measures until August 30. Colombia has recorded more than 9,400 deaths from COVID-19 and 276,000 cases. vel/mls/bc/jm