Singapore resident unemployment stays low but inching up: MOM

THE overall seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in Singapore remained unchanged over the quarter at 2 per cent in September 2015, according to the Ministry of Manpower on Thursday.

Unemployment edged up among residents to 3 per cent from 2.8 per cent and citizens to 3.1 per cent from 2.9 per cent, amid softer economic conditions.

Overall employment grew by 16,400 in the third quarter of 2015, faster than in the last quarter (9,700), as a result of growth in services and construction. However, taken as a whole, employment growth in the first three quarters of 2015 has moderated compared to a year ago.

There were 3,644,000 persons in employment in September 2015, which was 1.7 per cent higher than a year ago, compared to 2.2 per cent in June 2015.

Layoffs declined for the third consecutive quarter. Some 2,900 workers were laid off, down from 3,250 in the preceding quarter.

"MOM and the Singapore Workforce Development Agency (WDA) stand ready to help displaced local workers to re-skill and upgrade so that they are able to take on new jobs,'' the ministry said.