The Phase 2 (Heightened Alert) from 16 May to 13 June 2021 had some impact on the labour market in 2Q 2021. 

1. In 2Q 2021, non-resident employment declined more sharply, and resident employment grew more slowly.  As a result, total employment declined in 2Q 2021, after registering its first increase in five quarters in 1Q 2021.​ 
   
2. Unemployment rates continued to ease in June 2021, and the resident long-term unemployment rate improved.  However, unemployment rates rose in July.  The increase, following a consistent downtrend over the last eight months, reflects a temporary easing of manpower demand in certain sectors due to the tighter COVID-19 restrictions.​​ 
   
3. There was a slight increase in retrenchments in 2Q 2021, and the re-entry rate among retrenched residents dipped after rising in the previous two quarters.​ 
   
4. The tighter COVID-19 restrictions have temporarily affected demand for manpower in certain sectors.  More employees were placed on temporary layoff or short work-week, particularly in Food & Beverage Services.​ 
   
5. With manpower shortages that arose from border restrictions and sustained demand in growth sectors, the ratio of job vacancies to unemployed persons improved to above 1 for the first time since March 2019.​

For more information, please refer to the full Labour Market Second ​​​Quarter 2021 report.