The number of furloughed workers on formal unpaid leave programs in the manufacturing sector rose more than 1,200 in one week as the export-oriented sector continued to be affected by a weakening global economy, which led to a drop in orders, the Ministry of Labor said yesterday.
Data compiled by the ministry showed that the number of workers placed on furlough programs in the sector rose 1,261 from Oct. 15 to 9,772 as of Monday.
Labor Conditions and Equal Employment Division section head Li Suu-hsien (李思嫺) said that the metals and machinery industry reported the highest number of furloughed workers, with three bicycle component suppliers placing about 800 people on unpaid leave.
Photo: CNA
In addition, a machine tool maker extended its furlough plan affecting more than 160 workers, Li said.
However, a rubber maker in the chemical industry returned more than 100 employees to work, as its unpaid leave program ended, Li said.
The number of furloughed workers in the retail and wholesale industry rose from 829 to 871 in the week, while industries in the service sector remained resilient due to solid domestic demand, with the number of furloughed workers in the transportation and logistics industry unchanged at seven, while the figure for the lodging and food and beverage industry fell from 10 to four in the week, the ministry said.
In the support service industry, which includes travel agencies, the number of workers placed on unpaid leave fell from 88 to 83 in the week, the ministry said.
Overall, the total number of furloughed workers rose to 10,993 as of Monday, from 9,631 on Oct. 15, it said.
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