The Ministry of Manpower is preparing the policy for distribution of the BSU wage subsidy programme for workers in 2021.
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.
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.
The Department of Finance (DOF) has said lockdowns caused by new variants of COVID-19 will slow the recovery of job gains.
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.
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.
The overall unemployment rate in the country trended down in May, falling marginally from 2.9% in the previous month.
Out of the 592,000 Australians who lost their employment in April 2020, 38% were aged between 15 and 24.
A survey revealed that only 16% of SMEs expect their businesses to recover only in 2023, citing movement restrictions as dampening business demand.
The Ministry of Human Resources has urged workers and employers affected by the pandemic to apply for benefits under the Employment Insurance System.
The number of employed women rose by 69,000, while the number of employed men increased by 46,000.
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.
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.
The number of unemployed persons in April totalled 742,700 persons, falling by 0.1 percentage point or 10,500 persons month-on-month.
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.
In April, a total of 92,100 people — comprising Singapore citizens and permanent residents — were unemployed.
While these job losses are linked to the end of its wage subsidy, more people are beginning to find jobs, says the treasury secretary.
The National Economic and Social Development Council said the third wave of the pandemic is likely to lead to soaring unemployment this year.
The government has further tightened MCO measures, which include a mandate of more WFH arrangements and a cap on operating hours.
Official figures also show an improvement in youth unemployment, which is now better than at the start of the pandemic.
The decision not to have a full lockdown that shuts down the economy will help prevent rising unemployment that could affect 1 million people.
The government will continue subsidies for the unemployed, and vocational training, upskilling, internships for college graduates.
The Department of Finance (DOF) has said gains in employment cannot be sustained if strict lockdowns are repeatedly being imposed.
Research from the ADP Research Institute provides insights into how the workforce in Singapore and across Asia Pacific has changed over the past year.
The number of employed workers in South Korea totalled 27.21 million in April, up 652,000 from a year ago.
DOLE has also ramped up the implementation of its programme to provide jobs for seasonal workers, those who are displaced, or underemployed.
In March, the number of unemployed citizens aged 15 and above was estimated at 3.44 million, 747,000 less than from February.
Over the March quarter, employment rose by 15,000 in New Zealand, as the country continues to recover from the pandemic.
The restrictions are now enforced in six provinces — Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Chon Buri, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani and Samut Prakan.
The number of employed women aged between 25 and 54 fell by 541,000 year-on-year last March, more than the 327,000 for men in the same age group.