Taipei, Nov. 22 (CNA) Taiwan's unemployment rate dropped for a second month in a row from a month earlier to 3.43 percent in October, the lowest level recorded for that month in 23 years, according to figures released by the Directorate of Budget, Accounting and Statistics (DGBAS) on Wednesday.Data compiled by the DGBAS showed the jobless rate dipped 0.05 percentage points from September to 3.43 percent in October, the lowest level for the month since October 2000, when the jobless rate stood at 3.19 percent.The decline was mainly because of increasing manpower demand in the service sector spurred by pent-up domestic demand, according to the DGBAS.After factoring in seasonal adjustments to account for first-time job seekers, the local jobless rate fell 0.03 percentage points from a month earlier to 3.41 percent in October, the lowest level for the month since October 2000, when the adjusted unemployment rate was 3.08 percent, the data indicated.Typically, the jobless rate goes down in September as the summer graduation peak passes and new graduates find job, according to the DGBAS.In October, the number of people who lost jobs fell by 5,000 from September to 411,000, and the number of those in employment rose 17,000 from a month earlier to nearly 11.56 million, the DGBAS said.DGBAS Census Department Deputy Director Chen Hui-hsin (陳惠欣) said that a strong recovery in service sector employment was the key factor pushing the overall unemployment rate lower in October.In the month, the number employed in the service sector rose 14,000 from a month earlier, while the number of employees in the industrial sector increased by 6,000, and in the agricultural sector fell by 3,000, the DGBAS saidIn the service sector, the accommodation and catering industry experienced an increase of 4,000 employees, reflecting the booming domestic market.As for the manufacturing sector which had 2,000 fewer workers from September and 19,000 from a year before, Chen attributed the sector's lackluster performance to uncertainties such as the global economic slowdown, geopolitical risks and trade disputes between the United States and China, which she said dented demand for manpower.Looking ahead, Chen said it remains to be seen whether labor market prospects in the manufacturing sector will improve in November, but she indicated that a jobs boom in the vast service sector is expected due to the effects of the Double 11 shopping festival.Chen said the special sales event is expected to bring about relative stability in overall employment.(By Pan Tzu-yu and Evelyn Kao)Enditem/AW (ICE TAIPEI)

Fonte notizia: Organi di Stampa - Focus Taiwan News Channel