As more workers were retrenched, Singapore’s overall unemployment inched up in the third quarter of 2019. However, employment rates also rose compared to the last quarter and a year ago.
The figures from the Ministry of Manpower’s (MOM) Labour Market Advance Release painted a mixed picture. Below are the key findings:
Manpower Minister Josephine Teo said in a Facebook post on Thursday (24 October) that the data suggests mismatches in the labour market are widening.
“It could be jobseekers not having the skills to access available jobs, or jobs being insufficiently attractive. Closing the gaps require both jobseekers and employers to be more open and flexible,” she said.
In response to the Manpower Ministry’s report, NTUC Assistant Secretary-General Patrick Tay commented on his Facebook page that the rising unemployment and retrenchments, coupled with the rise in employment, suggest that structural challenges continue to be the main cause of unemployment in Singapore.
“We need to continue our efforts in training and supporting mature workers and PMEs as they are most vulnerable,” he said.
Moving forward, he added that the Labour Movement will continue to accelerate efforts to overcome the structural mismatches which are causing the current unemployment.
