Slow but steady: Total employment grows by 24,800

This is lower than the 28,300 for the first quarter but comparable to the second quarter of 2010 at 24,900.

The Ministry of Manpower reported, “Services continued to generate the bulk of the employment gains, though the pace of job creation has eased. The sector added 20,200 workers in the second quarter, down from the gains of 26,500 in the previous quarter and 25,400 in the second quarter of 2010.”

Meanwhile the construction workforce expanded by 3,600, higher than the 1,500 increase in the last quarter. The Ministry said this was sustained by increased building activities in the public sector.

“Manufacturing employment rose by 800, up from the flat gains (100) in the previous quarter,” added the Ministry’s report.

As for job vacancies, the number rose over the quarter by 13% to 55,900 in June 2011. After adjusting for seasonality, the increase moderated to 2.4%.

The Ministry noted, “With more seeking employment, the seasonally adjusted ratio of job vacancies to unemployed persons eased to 116 openings for every 100 job seekers in June 2011, after the sharp increase from 104 in December 2010 to 139 openings per 100 job seekers in March 2011.”

The data pertain to private sector establishments each with at least 25 employees and the public sector.