Jul 3, 2009

Jobless rate may rise

SINGAPORE'S unemployment rate from April to June may remain high or increase further from the previous quarter's 3.3 per cent, Manpower Minister Gan Kim Yong has said.

This is based on anecdotal evidence from the unions and employers, he told reporters on Friday, adding that actual figures will be released later this month.

He was speaking at a press conference where he also gave an update on the impact of the Skills Programme for Upgrading and Resilience (Spur).

The government-sponsored scheme, launched in December last year, pays part of workers' wages while they are on training as well as subsidises their training fees.

About 124,500 workers have been committed for training under Spur up to May this year.

About 1,800 companies have tapped on the programme, many of which are in industries affected by the downturn such as manufacturing and retail.

- The Straits Times

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