PUTRAJAYA, Sept 9 — The labour force in July grew by 0.1 per cent to 17.2 million from 17.17 million in June, while the labour force participation rate was unchanged at 70.4 per cent, according to Labour Force Statistics released today.
Chief statistician Datuk Seri Mohd Uzir Mahidin in a statement said the number of employees continued to rise in July by 0.2 per cent to 16.63 million, compared with 16.61 million in June.
“The country’s labour market remained stable, following the country’s growing economic position, recording a steadily increasing number of employed people, while the number of unemployed is decreasing,” he said when commenting on the overall performance for July.
He said the number of unemployed people continued to reduce by 0.3 per cent to 563,700 from 565,300 recorded in June, and the unemployment rate during the month remained at 3.3 per cent as in the previous month.
Explaining further on the employment situation, Uzir said that in July, most employed people were in the employees category, making up 75 per cent.
“This category rose by 0.1 per cent to 12.48 million compared with 12.46 million in June.
“On the same note, the own Account 2 workers category remained on its upward trend, increasing by 0.3 per cent to 3.07 million from 3.06 million in June,” he said.
Uzir also said those who were available for work and were actively seeking jobs or the actively unemployed comprised 80 per cent of the total unemployed people.
By duration of unemployment for the actively unemployed, he said those who were unemployed for less than three months made up 61.5 per cent, while those who were in long-term unemployment for more than a year were 6.9 per cent.
“Similarly, the inactively unemployed or those who believed there are no jobs available, edged down by 0.4 per cent to 113,000 people in July from 113,400 in June,” he added.
— Bernama