Total Workers Increased by 2.2% in the First Half of the Year, Reaching 810,378
[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Seryeong] The Changwon Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Gyeongnam announced the employment trends in the province for the first half of 2022.
Based on the Employment Insurance database (DB) from the Employment Information Service, Changwon Chamber stated that as of the end of the first half of 2022, the number of regular workers enrolled in employment insurance in the Gyeongnam region was 810,378.
This figure represents a 2.2% increase compared to the same period last year.
Among them, the number of manufacturing workers increased by 0.8% from the same period last year to 331,041, service industry workers rose by 3.0% to 422,094, and construction workers increased by 4.6% to 40,952.
According to Changwon Chamber, the increase in manufacturing workers as of the end of the first half marks the first growth since the first half of 2019, before the domestic spread of COVID-19.
By manufacturing sector in Gyeongnam: ▲Food products had 17,223 workers, up 7.6%; ▲Electrical equipment 27,617 workers, up 6.1%; ▲Metal processing products 35,954 workers, up 4.3%; ▲Electronic components 10,892 workers, up 2.3%; ▲Machinery and equipment 64,092 workers, up 1.6%; ▲Textile products 5,532 workers, up 1.5%; ▲Non-metallic mineral products 6,819 workers, up 0.6%.
Meanwhile, sectors with a decrease in workers included ▲Medical, precision, and optical instruments with 5,585 workers, down 5.6%; ▲Other transportation equipment 58,817 workers, down 4.5%; ▲Rubber and plastics 21,238 workers, down 1.7%; ▲Chemical substances and products 9,060 workers, down 0.9%; ▲Automobiles and trailers 34,726 workers, down 0.4%.
A Chamber official stated that the proportion changes of manufacturing workers by job category are becoming more distinct compared to the first half of 2019, before the domestic spread of COVID-19.
According to the Chamber, managerial positions at department head level and above decreased by 5.9% compared to the first half of 2019, while office workers increased by 0.4%.
Although the number of research positions is not large, it was confirmed to have increased by 159.9%.
The largest proportions among all workers, production and simple labor workers, decreased by 4.8% and 1.8%, respectively.
In the Gyeongnam service industry, sectors affected by strengthened COVID-19 quarantine guidelines showed the most notable growth.
Among them, accommodation and food services increased by 8.0% to 28,763 workers, and arts, sports, and leisure rose by 7.7% to 7,769 workers.
Next, sectors with a high proportion of workers included ▲Health and social welfare with a 5.7% increase to 125,162 workers; ▲Education up 4.1% to 30,963 workers; ▲Business facility management, business support, and rental up 3.2% to 26,632 workers; ▲Professional, scientific, and technical services increased by 2.8% to 36,761 workers.
The information and communication sector, which was relatively less affected by COVID-19, also recorded a 5.5% increase to 5,828 workers.
Meanwhile, ▲Public administration, social security, and administration decreased by 3.3% to 26,023 workers; ▲Transportation and warehousing down 1.7% to 24,038 workers; ▲Real estate down 1.5% to 28,487 workers; ▲Association and organization workers decreased by 1.3% to 17,158 workers.
A Changwon Chamber official said, “Local manufacturing industries are promoting industrial upgrading and, having experienced COVID-19, are simultaneously pursuing productivity improvement and maximizing added value through research and development (R&D).” He added, “This trend is reflected in the employment trends by job category in Gyeongnam’s manufacturing sector, showing a gradual decrease in production personnel and an increase in research personnel, indicating a change in the employment structure of manufacturing companies.”
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