India’s jobless rate at 4-month low in July
The unemployment rate in the country fell to 6.95% in July – the lowest in four months, an indication of possible recovery in the labour market.
Japan’s unemployment rate falls to 2.9% in June
The recovery was attributed to hiring at pandemic-hit restaurants and retailers as the state of emergency was lifted in some areas.
Laos urges the unemployed to seek help in finding jobs
The Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare has urged local officials to provide information on the number of unemployed people who need assistance.
SMEs in Malaysia incurred RM$40.7 billion loss in 2020
Some 580,000 businesses, representing 49% of the SME sector, are at risk of failing by October this year if they are not allowed to open up operations by then.
South Korea battles unemployment woes
Those in their 20s and 30s accounted for 46.8% of the total discouraged workers in June, up 8.2 percentage points from the year before.
Indonesia plans wage subsidies for workers
The Ministry of Manpower is preparing the policy for distribution of the BSU wage subsidy programme for workers in 2021.
Hong Kong’s unemployment rate in Q2 2021 falls to 5.5%
Some 213,000 people are still out of jobs, but this is 20,200 fewer than the preceding quarter, as Hong Kong’s labour market continues to recover.
Australia’s unemployment rate falls to 4.9% in June
However, underemployment crept up by 0.5% to 7.9% as the economy responded to lockdowns in the states of Victoria and New South Wales.
Lockdowns hamper job gains in the Philippines
The Department of Finance (DOF) has said lockdowns caused by new variants of COVID-19 will slow the recovery of job gains.
Malaysian business and trade groups warn of looming mass unemployment
The alliance urged the government to change its strategy as very little improvement has been made with regards to the COVID-19 case daily tally.
Taiwan offer subsidies to the unemployed who find jobs
Workers will now be eligible for handouts of up to NT$20,000 in subsidies over four months if they find a new full-time job.
Singapore’s overall unemployment rate edges down to 2.8% in May
The overall unemployment rate in the country trended down in May, falling marginally from 2.9% in the previous month.
Many Australians made jobless at the start of pandemic were under 25
Out of the 592,000 Australians who lost their employment in April 2020, 38% were aged between 15 and 24.
Two in three SMEs in Malaysia pessimistic on recovery for 2021
A survey revealed that only 16% of SMEs expect their businesses to recover only in 2023, citing movement restrictions as dampening business demand.
Malaysia provides assistance to workers and employers
The Ministry of Human Resources has urged workers and employers affected by the pandemic to apply for benefits under the Employment Insurance System.
Australia’s unemployment falls to 5.1% in May 2021
The number of employed women rose by 69,000, while the number of employed men increased by 46,000.
Hong Kong’s unemployment rate falls to a 12-month low
Hong Kong’s jobless rate fell for three consecutive months to a one-year low in May, as the economy continues to recover from the pandemic.
India’s unemployment rate falls amid easing of lockdown
The country’s urban unemployment rate fell 5.0 percentage points to 9.7% month-on-month for the week which ended on June 13.
Malaysia’s unemployment rate falls to 4.6% in April
The number of unemployed persons in April totalled 742,700 persons, falling by 0.1 percentage point or 10,500 persons month-on-month.
South Korea’s jobless claims fall in May
Those receiving job-seeking benefits totalled 704,000 in May, in line with a downward trend of 759,000 in March, and 739,000 in April.
Unemployment rate in Singapore dips in April
In April, a total of 92,100 people — comprising Singapore citizens and permanent residents — were unemployed.
56,000 people lost jobs after Australia ended JobKeeper
While these job losses are linked to the end of its wage subsidy, more people are beginning to find jobs, says the treasury secretary.
Thailand likely to see higher unemployment this year
The National Economic and Social Development Council said the third wave of the pandemic is likely to lead to soaring unemployment this year.
Full lockdown in Malaysia may cause 40% of SMEs to close down
The government has further tightened MCO measures, which include a mandate of more WFH arrangements and a cap on operating hours.
Australia’s unemployment rate in April falls to 5.5%
Official figures also show an improvement in youth unemployment, which is now better than at the start of the pandemic.
Malaysia’s latest MCO keeps economy open to avert unemployment
The decision not to have a full lockdown that shuts down the economy will help prevent rising unemployment that could affect 1 million people.
China extends pro-job policies to boost employment
The government will continue subsidies for the unemployed, and vocational training, upskilling, internships for college graduates.
Philippine lockdowns reverse gains in employment
The Department of Finance (DOF) has said gains in employment cannot be sustained if strict lockdowns are repeatedly being imposed.
People at Work: A Workforce View 2021
Research from the ADP Research Institute provides insights into how the workforce in Singapore and across Asia Pacific has changed over the past year.
South Korea’s April jobs show largest growth in seven years
The number of employed workers in South Korea totalled 27.21 million in April, up 652,000 from a year ago.