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.
Displaced workers in the Philippines will continue receiving support
DOLE has also ramped up the implementation of its programme to provide jobs for seasonal workers, those who are displaced, or underemployed.
Philippines’ jobless rate falls to lowest level since start of pandemic
In March, the number of unemployed citizens aged 15 and above was estimated at 3.44 million, 747,000 less than from February.
New Zealand’s jobless rate falls to 4.7% in Q12021
Over the March quarter, employment rose by 15,000 in New Zealand, as the country continues to recover from the pandemic.
Dining restrictions in Thai provinces expected to cost 200,000 jobs
The restrictions are now enforced in six provinces — Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Chon Buri, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani and Samut Prakan.
Pandemic affected more women workers than men in South Korea
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.
70,700 new jobs created in Australia this March
Data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) showed that 70,700 net new jobs were created in March, double the expected 35,000.
Unemployment in Malaysia dropped slightly to 4.8% in February
The sectors of wholesale and retail trade, education, and human health and social work saw a continuous increase in employment.
Unemployment continues to drop in Singapore
The Ministry of Manpower reported a fourth consecutive month of decline in the overall unemployment rate in Singapore
Australian government against minimum wage raise
The government is not raising minimum wages after ending its JobKeeper programme on March 28, citing job creation as one of its priorities.
Displaced workers hired as contact tracers in the Philippines
The Department of Labour and Employment would provide emergency employment to informal workers who lost their jobs.
1 million pandemic-displaced persons still jobless in South Korea
In February, out of the 1.35 million persons officially unemployed, 999,000 had lost their jobs due to the pandemic.
To boost wages, Australia’s jobless rate needs to fall
Before interest rates are raised, the unemployment rate will likely need to fall to between the “low 4s” and “high 3s”, said RBA deputy governor Guy Debelle.
Australia’s jobless rate dips to 5.8% to pre-pandemic levels
The unemployment rate fell in February to pre-pandemic levels amid the rollout of vaccination and fiscal stimulus stimulating the economy.
China’s unemployment rate at 13.1% for younger labour population
The jobless rate for those 16 to 24 years old was 13.1% in February, more than double the national urban unemployment rate of 5.5%.
Unemployment benefit surpasses 1 trillion won in South Korea
South Korea’s unemployment allowance payment hit a five-month high in February, surpassing 1 trillion won (US$884 million) again.
Hong Kong’s unemployment rate highest since 2004
Hong Kong’s jobless rate climbed to 7.2% in the December-to-February period, up 0.2 percentage points from the November-to-January period.
Singapore experiences sharpest fall in employment in more than two decades
Non-resident workers accounted for all of the employment decline, reported Singapore’s MOM.
Philippine senators call for faster mass inoculation to reduce unemployment
“Joblessness is a result of ‘jablessness’ … Mass inoculation is the cure to mass unemployment,” senate president pro tempore Ralph Recto has said.
Philippine government shuns hard lockdown
The government is adopting a “granular” approach instead of hard lockdowns to address a stubbornly high unemployment rate.
Thailand sources 56,000 roles to help the unemployed
In February, 114,101 newly unemployed workers registered for financial aid, while 487,143 people updated their unemployment status.
India’s unemployment rate back to pre-lockdown level in February
The Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE) has said the country’s unemployment rate has fallen to 6.9% in February from 7.3% last July.
Japan’s unemployment falls, job availability rises
Despite the country being in a pandemic state of emergency, its unemployment rate declined and job availability increased, government statistics revealed.
Hong Kong government rolls out HK$9.5 billion relief package
About 180,000 Hongkongers who were unemployed for at least two months since the start of last year will also be eligible to apply for low-interest loans.
Hong Kong will face unemployment woes for more than three years
Unemployment will plague Hong Kong for years ahead, and that it may take more than three years for the jobless rate to fall below 5%.
Temporary jobs for South Koreans in their 20s plunge as pandemic wears on
Statistics Korea said the number of temporary and daily jobs for those in their 20s declined 18% in January due to the pandemic.
Pandemic widens employment gap in South Korea
Smaller businesses saw a steep drop in employment numbers while that of larger conglomerates rose last year.
Hong Kong welfare minister rejects temporary unemployment fund
The minister said that it would be tricky to draw the line for when the scheme should stop, and urged that public policy needs to be fair.
Malaysia approved RM12.76 billion in wage subsidies as of end January
The National Employment Council estimates that over 160,000 new jobs will be created this year through committed investments.