TRY as they may, they just cannot seem to land a job.
The latest job market figures for the January to March period, released by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) on June 15, showed that there are now 16,600 long-term unemployed people in Singapore.
By definition, these people have been jobless for 25 weeks or more.
A year ago, the corresponding figure was less than half - 7,500.
In the first five months of this year, the CareerLink Plus Centre has seen 542 long-term unemployed and low-wage workers approaching it for help, compared to 1,293 cases for the whole of last year. The centre is a joint project between the Workforce Development Agency and self-help groups like the Chinese Development Assistance Council, the Singapore Indian Development Association, the Eurasian Association and the Association for Muslim Professionals. It is spearheaded by Mendaki.
Labour MP Halimah Yacob said: 'The economic crisis is not the only factor although it makes it harder for the unemployed to find jobs.
'The issue is one of structural unemployment too as many also do not have the skills to do the jobs that are available.'
Madam Halimah, an MP for Jurong GRC, has seen more of the chronic jobless in her constituency seeking help since the downturn.
Help is given with regard to technical and computer skills, and softer skills like preparing resumes and presenting themselves well at job interviews.
This chronic jobless group mainly comprises mature workers aged above 40, housewives in their 40s and 50s who want to go back to work, and people with physical disabilities, medical conditions or past criminal records.
- The Straits Times
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