People fill up application forms at a job fair in Taichung, central Taiwan early this month. Taiwan's unemployment rate rose to a record high of 5.75 percent last month on business downsizing and closures amid a recession, the government said. AFP

TAIPEI: The Council of Labor Affairs (CLA) yesterday said it expects Taiwan's unemployment rate in March to come in below 6 percent, but slightly higher than the February level of 5.75 percent.

CLA chief Wang Ju-hsuan said job losses on the island have begun to show signs of easing.

She said Taiwan's jobless rate has crept up by an average 0.3 percentage points every month since the island felt the impact of the global economic crisis in September.

She said the recent influx of orders to the industrial sector has helped moderate a further worsening of unemployment.

She said easing of the island's unemployment problem is also reflected in the declining number of first-time applicants for unemployment benefits.

From December to February, more than 30,000 first-time applicants for unemployment benefits sought assistance each month after losing their jobs. The number dropped to 28,000 in March, Wang said.

During the first 20 days of April, only 14,000 applications for unemployment benefits have been filed, she added.

Wang warned, however, that the unemployment rate could flare up again in August and September, when many of this year's graduates attempt to enter the island's jobs market.

The CLA also announced yesterday the launch of a program aimed at providing psychological support for the country's unemployed.

A salient feature of this assistance is free psychological counseling that will be provided by a team of more than 70 experts and therapists.

To avail of this service, jobless workers need to approach any government-run employment service stations or to call (02) 2557-6841.

A radio program on labor law and psychological issues will also be launched on April 28 in cooperation with the Taiwan-based Broadcasting Corporation of China.

China Daily/CNA

(HK Edition 04/22/2009 page16)