Despite the global economic slowdown, much still can be done by the government to curb the rise in unemployment and ease the plight of those without jobs, experts from across the political spectrum said yesterday.
"It is worth noting that while an increasing number of people can't find a job, quite a few areas of the private sector have complained about being short-handed," noted New Party Legislator Chang Shih-liang (張世良). "The government can do something to help bridge the gap."
The unemployment rate for March hit 3.89 percent, the highest in 15 years, according to statistics on Monday. Some 380,000 people are out of work, affecting a total of more than 900,000.
To address the problem, the Cabinet's Council of Labor Affairs (CLA) has planned a job fair on May 1 to mark Labor Day. About 880 firms nationwide have agreed to take part in the event which is expected to provide 10,360 employment opportunities.
DPP lawmaker Chien Hsi-chih (簡錫偕), however, described this and other remedies envisioned by the CLA as inadequate.
He said that most of the jobless are people aged 40 and above with only a high school education.
"It is important for this age group and the general public as a whole, to develop additional vocational skills," Chien said, adding that the state-run Employment & Vocational Training Administration has failed in this task.
He suggested that the CLA shift the rein of the training agency to the private sectors, who know their needs better. "This way, more jobs can be created," Chien said.
Chien has actively pushed for the installment of a social security net. In countries where such a safety net exists, an unemployment rate of 4 percent is considered natural.
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