Harder to find jobs

Dec 16, 2009
Harder to find jobs

More degree-holders are without jobs and taking longer to find one

By Kor Kian Beng, Political Correspondent

More university graduates are without jobs and taking longer to land a job. -- ST PHOTO: DESMOND WEE

DESPITE signs of a turnaround in the job market, university graduates are no better off.
In fact, more of them are without jobs and taking longer to land a job, according to revised official figures released on Tuesday.
Part of the reason is that they often tend to seek jobs that pay close to what they used to earn, said MP Josephine Teo, who is also assistant secretary-general of the National Trades Union Congress.
However, economists interviewed foresee their lot improving in the new year, when growth is expected to hit 5.5 per cent, according to a recent poll of 20 private-sector economists by the Monetary Authority of Singapore.
Meanwhile, the labour market in the third quarter, following Singapore's exit from recession, shows 'encouraging signs of a turnaround', said the Ministry of Manpower (MOM).
The revised figures show more jobs were added, fewer people were laid off and there were more vacancies between June and September.

Read the full story in Wednesday's edition of The Straits Times.
kianbeng@sph.com.sg


- wong chee tat :)