JPKE report: More than 12,000 jobless

Koo Jin Shen
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

THE total number of unemployed in August was recorded at 12, 275 up 0.8 per cent from 12,173 in July this year, according to the jobseekers report released yesterday by the Department of Economic Planning and Development (JPKE).

The same report said that there were 254 newly registered jobseekers while 152 persons had reportedly found work.

The department said that newly registered jobseekers were recorded through village heads as well as the Local Employment and Workforce Development Agency (APTK).

Of 12,275 without jobs, 58.5 per cent were female.

In terms of education, 69.2 per cent of current jobseekers have passed secondary education.

Eleven per cent have passed primary education, 8.1 per cent have passed technical and vocational education while 3.6 per cent have passed pre-university education and 5.7 per cent have completed higher education.

The report said 67.1 per cent (8,238) live in Brunei-Muara, 12.3 per cent live in Belait, 15.2 per cent live in Tutong and 5.4 per cent live in Temburong.

The highest age demographic of unemployed recorded was between 20-24 years at 28.6 per cent.

The next highest is between the ages of 25-29 at 22.1 per cent.

The lowest demographic of jobseekers are those between the age of 18-19 at 4.3 per cent and those between 50-59 at 4.4 per cent.

JPKE said that these statistics are intended to provide the latest estimates of the number as well as the profile of Brunei citizens and permanent residents aged between 18 and 59 who do not have jobs or termed as “unemployed” but actively seeking for work.

While much of the data has been compiled through the 2011 Housing Census, it is currently being updated as existing jobseekers find work or have said that they are no longer interested in finding work, and as people are being registered as jobseekers through the relevant agencies.


Sumber - The Brunei Times