Sloppy treatment of figures in Spain

[Janet]

We have the Sloppy treatment of facts in Spain thread, and now I'd like to introduce the Sloppy treatment of figures in Spain thread. Can anyone tell me what this is all about?

Tenerife ha generado en agosto 7.071 nuevos contratos en el sector turístico, lo que supone un crecimiento del 15,48 por ciento en relación con el mismo mes del año anterior. Este incremento, que supone 948 contrataciones más, convierte este mes de 2013 en el mejor agosto de los últimos cuatro años en lo que se refiere a contrataciones en el sector.

C24H

[Perikles]

Tenerife ha generado en agosto 7.071 nuevos contratos en el sector turístico, lo que supone un crecimiento del 15,48 por ciento en relación con el mismo mes del año anterior. Este incremento, que supone 948 contrataciones más, convierte este mes de 2013 en el mejor agosto de los últimos cuatro años en lo que se refiere a contrataciones en el sector.

It seems to be saying that in Aug 2012 there were 6123 somethings. This increased to 7071 in Aug 2013 which represents an increase of 948, i.e. an increase of 15.48% on the Aug 2012 figure. But what the hell are they talking about?

[Janet]

so, are "contratos" the same as "contrataciones"? And if so, how can there be simultaneously 948 and 7071? And if not, what's the bloody difference?

And in any case, how the hell can there be 7071 anythings in Tenerife alone in August when unemployment figures show that 4,294 people left the unemployment lists in that month throughout the Canaries! (link)

edit: and so as to hold the press responsible for no more than unthinkingly reproducing what they're spoonfed, HERE is the original, official, report from the Cabildo.

[poker]

Contractados is peaple getting a work contrackt . But this could be a short term contract (probably for the most 99%) of them or a long contract .

It does not relate to the jobless figures as one could end a short contract and get a new one and probably this is counted also ? 
Anayway who knows they just juggle with the figures .
Its the same in the banks and the crisis and the empty propertys .
Change it a bit or alot as they see fit or if it will benefit them . . . . 

[Janet]

But there can't be both 7.071 AND 948 of the same thing! 

[Nova]

7071 is the figure for August which is 948 more than in August last year.   948 is the actual number that constitutes the 15.48% increase on last year's figure.

[Janet]

Yes, that makes sense ... I didn't read it like that for some reason but it makes complete sense. Now what doesn't make sense is the 7071 contracts, in the tourism sector alone ... not just in the Canaries, but in Tenerife alone. I had to check earlier before I posted but as I said, August's figures showed unemployment fell 4,294 across the board throughout the Canaries ... 

The only way it makes sense is if they're not talking about jobs when they refer to contratos/contrataciones. But if not jobs, then what?