57,800 jobs created in Singapore in third quarter
Posted: 31 October 2008 1034 hrs

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SINGAPORE: Employment in Singapore grew by 57,800 in the third quarter this year, according to preliminary estimates by the Manpower Ministry.

The growth was lower than the gains of 71,400 in the preceding quarter and 58,600 in the third quarter of 2007.

After rising for two straight quarters, the overall jobless rate remained at a seasonally-adjusted 2.2 per cent in September, unchanged from June this year but higher than 1.7 per cent in September 2007.

Job growth was strongest in the construction sector. With a strong pipeline of building projects, construction employment grew by 16,400 in the third quarter of 2008, but lower than the record 22,400 gains in the previous quarter.

Meanwhile, the services sector added 36,200 jobs, lower than the gains of 38,300 in the second quarter but higher than 34,100 in the third quarter of 2007.

Amid weaker external demand, employment in manufacturing grew by 4,900 in the third quarter, half the increase in the previous three months.

- CNA/ir