More people in jobs in 2018, with layoffs at 6-year low: MOM data

But employment situation may be challenging this year amid uncertain economic environment, say observers

The typical Singaporean in full-time work earned more last year, with median income - including employer contributions to the Central Provident Fund - rising 3.3 per cent year on year to $4,183 as of June, according to data from the Ministry of Manpo
The typical Singaporean in full-time work earned more last year, with median income - including employer contributions to the Central Provident Fund - rising 3.3 per cent year on year to $4,183 as of June, according to data from the Ministry of Manpower. ST PHOTO: JASMINE CHOONG

More people in Singapore, including foreigners, were working last year as the labour market improved, but observers say the year ahead may be challenging.

The latest full-year estimates released by the Manpower Ministry (MOM) yesterday show that unemployment fell in 2018 and retrenchments dropped to a six-year low.

This is despite economic growth easing slightly from 2017. Advance estimates put growth at 3.3 per cent last year, down from 3.6 per cent in 2017.

MOM data shows that the typical Singaporean in full-time work earned more last year, with median income - including employer contributions to the Central Provident Fund - rising 3.3 per cent year on year to $4,183 as of June. But the pace of growth slowed from the 5.9 per cent seen in 2017.

DBS economist Irvin Seah said the slower income growth is consistent with the slower pace of economic expansion, and both are expected to be lower this year. MOM noted in its report that year-on-year income changes are prone to fluctuations because data is captured from a sample survey.

Real median income actually grew over the last five years, at an average of 3.6 per cent per year, higher than the 1.7 per cent per year in the previous five years. Over the same period, real income of Singaporeans at the 20th percentile - those earning lower wages - grew at an even faster pace, at an average of 4.3 per cent per year.

In terms of employment, the workforce grew by 39,300 last year, excluding foreign domestic workers. Of these additional workers, 28,400 were Singaporeans or permanent residents, while 10,900 were foreigners.

It was the biggest drop in 15 years, and caused a rare drop in total employment.

The ministry said the increase last year was driven by the service sector, with more residents employed in industries such as community, social and personal services and information and communications. The number of workers in construction and manufacturing fell for the third and fifth consecutive year, respectively.

CIMB Private Banking economist Song Seng Wun said the growth in the service sector was due to improving external demand in the first half of last year, which lifted more service industries beyond logistics and finance.

"But I expect hiring this year to be more selective as businesses watch their costs amid the uncertain environment," he said.

The annual average unemployment rate fell to 2.1 per cent last year from 2.2 per cent in 2017.

The rates were 3 per cent for Singaporeans and 2.9 per cent for residents, down from 3.3 per cent and 3.1 per cent, respectively.

Also, fewer workers were laid off last year as the economy continued to expand. A total of 11,020 workers were retrenched in 2018, down from 14,720 in 2017 and a peak of 19,170 in 2016.

However, MOM noted in a statement that labour market trends from September to December last year were mixed, with a slight uptick in unemployment rates compared with the third quarter of 2018. It expects local workforce growth to remain modest going forward.

National Trades Union Congress assistant secretary-general Patrick Tay, a labour MP, said the labour market figures for the first half of the year should be watched closely, given global trade tensions and technological advances.

"I expect to see more companies doing more restrategisation, reorganisation and mergers and acquisitions, which may result in retrenchments," he said.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on February 01, 2019, with the headline More people in jobs in 2018, with layoffs at 6-year low: MOM data. Subscribe