Thailand's recovery and expansion in the tourism industry boosted employment in hotels and restaurants as well as in wholesale and retail businesses. (Photo: AFP) Bangkok (VNA) – The employment rate and workinghours in the 4th quarter of 2022 in Thailand were similar to those before theCOVID-19 pandemic, according to a report released on March 3 by the country's NationalEconomic and Social Development Council (NESDC).
During the period, 39.6 million people were employed, markingan increase of 1.5% over the same period in the previous year. Employment inthe non-agricultural sector increased by 3.9%.
According to the report, recovery and expansion in thetourism industry boosted employment in hotels and restaurants as well as inwholesale and retail businesses.
Meanwhile, employment in the transport,storage, and manufacturing sectors increased as entrepreneurs remainedoptimistic about future economic prospects.
Employment in the agricultural sector fell by 3.4% due toflooding in southern provinces and labour relocation. Working hours in thesector also increased while 6.3 million workers in the sector were reported towork overtime.
The report also pointed out that hidden unemployment andquasi-unemployment declined by more than 28% and 19% respectively. Thailand’sunemployment rate dropped from 1.23% in the third quarter to 1.15% in the 4thquarter of the last year, with some 460,000 people out of work.
The report suggested more attention to employment for newgraduates as about 230,000 recent graduates remained out of work, 64.5% of themhad been rejected by potential employers./.
