SLOWDOWN:The labor market might not improve in the near term, with several firms, such as AUO, announcing job cuts or adopting unpaid leave, the DGBAS said

Taipei Times
Date: Sep 23, 2015
By: Crystal Hsu  /  Staff reporter

The nation’s unemployment rate climbed to 3.9 percent last month, from 3.82 percent in July, as new graduates continued to increase the jobless population, the Directorate-General of Budget, Accounting and Statistics (DGBAS) said yesterday.

The latest jobless reading suggested a stable labor market — which lags behind major economic indicators by three to six months — DGBAS deputy section chief Chang Yun-yun (張雲澐) said.

That means companies tend to maintain their hiring policy for some time when faced with business volatility, the DGBAS said.

“Reports of business closures and downsizing have yet to affect the job market,” Chang said, attributing the rise in the unemployment rate last month to an influx of new graduates.     [FULL  STORY]