EMPLOYMENT AND UNEMPLOYMENT STATISTICS DURING 1959/1961

Dr Thio Chan Bee asked the Minister for Labour to state (a) the total number of workmen as at 30th September, 1961; (b) the total number of unemployed registered by the Labour Department as at 30th September, 1961; (c) the total number of unemployed receiving Public Assistance allowances, and the total amount of such allowances paid out to them, in 1959, 1960 and 1961 respectively; and (d) the total number of registered unemployed who were successfully assisted in finding jobs in 1961 compared with 1960 and 1959.

Inche Ahmad Bin Ibrahim: Mr Speaker, Sir, in answer to (a), the returns showing the number of workmen in employment on 30th September, 1961, are now being processed in the Mechanised Tabulation Section of the Statistics Department and the tabulated figures are not expected until the end of January 1962. In view of this, it is regretted that the figures cannot be made available until then.

As regards (b), the record in the Labour Department shows that on 30th September, 1961, 53,028 were actively seeking employment. It must be noted that not all of them are unemployed. Some of them have registered themselves with the hope of finding better employment.

As regards (c), the total number of unemployed persons as heads of households receiving public assistance allowances and the total amount paid out to them in 1959, 1960 and 1961 are as follows: 1959 - total number of unemployed 7,264 receiving public assistance total amount of public $3,050,880 assistance paid 1960 - total number of unemployed 7,606 receiving public assistance total amount of public $3,650,880 assistance paid 1961 - total number of unemployed 7,113 receiving public assistance total amount of public $3,414,240 assistance paid

As regards (d) , in 1961, the Employment Exchange found jobs for 1,495. In 1959 and 1960, the Exchange found employment for 3,973 registrants and 1,308 registrants respectively.

Mrs Seow Peck Leng: Mr Speaker, Sir, would the Minister confirm whether it would be true to say also that there are many unemployed who have not registered?

Inche Ahmad Bin Ibrahim: I think it is very difficult for me to say whether there are unemployed who have not come for registration.

Dr Thio Chan Bee: Mr Speaker, Sir, could the Minister assure us that no names registered for employment were dropped out? Or shall I reword the question this way, Sir? Could the Minister assure us that the unemployed who were registered previously were not dropped out from the last total just because they did not seek re-registration?

Inche Ahmad Bin Ibrahim: Mr Speaker, this is what we have got from the Employment Exchange. The official record shows the figure as on 30th September, 1961.

Mr Rajah: The Minister has not answered the question. The question was whether the Minister can assure the House that those who had registered their names with the Labour Exchange were asked not to re-register.

Inche Ahmad Bin Ibrahim: It is not necessary for those who have already registered to re-register so long as their names are on the record.