VietNamNet Bridge – Socio-economic development conditions and a Government cut in the growth rate contributed to the growing number of unemployed workers, according to the Ministry of Labour, War Invalids and Social Affairs (MoLISA).


During the first half of the year, the unemployment rate reached 146,538 people nationwide a "131.1 per cent increase against the same period last year," said Le Quang Trung, vice director of the MoLISA Job Department.


Among of the ranks of the unemployed, 119,000 have applied for unemployment insurance benefits, a 171.19 per cent increase over the first half of last year.


"This year's socio-economic difficulties have caused the unemployment," said Trung.


The Government cut the growth rate from 7.5 per cent to 6 per cent which contributed to the growing unemployment rate, said the department.


The situation can also be attributed to the fact that many people quit their jobs because of low pay.


VietNamNet/Viet Nam News