The COVID-19 pandemic, still on-going, is undoubtedly life-changing for many of us. It has affected the way we live, the way we think, the way we move, and more crucially, the way we work. Specifically, it has caused many people to lose their jobs — or for many others, it opened up new windows of opportunities instead. Here are some sectors and forms of work that have survived and are still thriving through the pandemic.

1. E-commerce.

The world outside is dangerous. Stay a little longer and you might get infected with COVID-19 — a true danger when the vaccine isn’t out yet. All that is protecting you are safe-distancing rules and a thin piece of cloth-fabric shielding your orifices. You want to get some new clothes, but the clothing shops are closed because they are deemed as non-essential from where you live. You would like to buy detergent too, but stepping outside is no different from gambling with your life — that’s where online shopping comes in.

In countries like Singapore where a common past-time is going out into the streets to shop, nearly 75% of Singaporean consumers have turned to online shopping due to the pandemic. 31% made their first online purchase — the start of many in the future — during the pandemic. At least 20% will continue the habit of online shopping even after the pandemic. In China, where sales events like 11.11 have generated billions of revenue even pre-pandemic, the effects of the pandemic on online shopping are ever more so obvious in the dramatic increase in sales from the previous year.

Consumer habits have been changed, and the crisis has accelerated conversion to online shopping, and the e-commerce sector is expected to continue to boom, precisely because of the pandemic. Hence more job openings in e-commerce giants, in areas such as logistics, or even HR. 

2. (Food) Delivery Services 

Queuing for good food may have been a passion for many, but with the pandemic, most of us have turned to queuing from home instead. We take our phones out, place an order from a desired eatery, and wait for the food to come to us instead. Platforms like Grabfood (Singapore) and Meituan (China) have reported a spike in sales during the pandemic, and restaurants reported receiving more sales conducted via online orders in return.

Beyond providing work for people in need of a temporary gig for some quick income, the very platform that these sales are conducted from have benefited as a result. The platforms have reported a growth in their Gross Merchandise Value (GMV) and operations have expanded as a result. At least, they are not making as big a loss as before.

3. Biotechnology

A jab in the arm means massively reduced chances of dying from COVID-19, if infected by chance. Names like “Moderna” and “Pfizer” have become household names by now. Securing vaccines has become the priority of many governments, but it is private companies who are the ones behind R&D and creation of vaccines instead.

China, for instance, has pushed for more focus on its biotech sector, with 141 biotech companies opening from 2010-2020, and market capitalization increasing. More jobs are created in biotech sectors throughout the world too, as countries seek to also find their own ways to protect their citizens. 

Articles referenced:

Overall, the above are just three that have clearly reaped benefits from the pandemic. Other sectors such as IT may be less affected, or more well adjusted to conditions such as remote working. If you are thinking about your next job opportunity, you can consider these industries, even though you may not necessarily have a relevant degree; some jobs are universal, such as the need for marketing in order to get sales out. Alternatively, if you are a biotech talent and are interested in your next job, or you are looking for the right biotech talent, you can consider our recruitment solutions.

https://www.channelnewsasia.com/commentary/food-delivery-apps-grabfood-foodpanda-deliveroo-restaurants-1367326

https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/banking-finance/one-third-of-singaporeans-made-first-online-purchase-amid-covid-19-measures-poll

https://www.channelnewsasia.com/business/retail-sales-rise-79-7-may-2021-store-closures-circuit-breaker-1991866

https://www.wsj.com/articles/biotech-is-on-a-hiring-binge-but-lags-on-diversity-11632396600

https://www.cnbc.com/2020/08/24/china-e-commerce-boosted-by-shift-to-online-shopping-after-coronavirus.html

https://www.cnbc.com/2019/11/11/alibaba-singles-day-2019-record-sales-on-biggest-shopping-day.html

According to a labor report released by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM), the number of retrenchments in Singapore in Q2 has risen as compared to Q1. 

Previously in Q1, there were 2270 layoffs. In Q2, there were 2340 layoffs. This is discounting “resignations”. Still, the number of layoffs is still within the range of pre-pandemic levels, as tracked within the quarters in 2018 and 2019. 

However, the changes in retrenchment level are different across various sectors, and alternate forms of stopping work have been employed, resulting in the current situation; that is, a decrease in retrenchment in the F&B sector and the increase in overall retrenchment attributed more to manufacturing and construction instead. 

For instance, more employees in sectors such as F&B, where they face uncertainty and COVID-19 restrictions in terms of dining in rules, are placed on short work-weeks or temporary layoffs instead. This does not strictly fall under retrenchment or unemployment, but employees are still facing issues such as reduced pay and underemployment nonetheless. 

Unemployment rate meanwhile rose for workers above 40, suggesting that older workers are having trouble retaining their jobs, and seeking new ones too. The overall unemployment rate has stopped at 2.7% as of June. 
 

On the other hand, the ratio of job vacancies to unemployed persons has risen above 1 for the first time since 2019 — meaning, Singapore currently has a job surplus. The ratio of 1.63 suggests that for every 100 persons, there are 163 job vacancies available. 

According to MOM, the construction and manufacturing sector has a remarkable increase in the number of job vacancies, in particular for jobs such as production and transport operators, cleaners and laborers. In other industries, there is a high vacancy rate for professionals, managers, executives and technicians. Sectors such as F&B, travel and retail are recovering, but at a much slower rate due to COVID-19 restrictions. 

Still, despite the positive news of increased job openings, it has to be said that unemployment is not an easy problem to solve on the individual level; it takes time for an individual to seek new jobs that match their skills and experience, to transition into a new job successfully and all. Not to mention that even while an individual is employed, they may be at risk of being underemployed and underpaid, where their skills and experience are not fully utilized by their job, all while taking a cut from their previous pay in order to successfully find employment. 

Articles referenced: 

https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/jobs/job-vacancies-in-singapore-hit-record-high-of-92100-in-june-mom

https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/jobs/retrenchments-in-spore-rose-slightly-in-q2-with-more-on-short-work-weeks-temporary

The Ministry of Manpower (MoM) Singapore has stated that employers in firms with more than 10 employees are required to notify MoM whenever an employee is retrenched. 

This would come into effect November 1 onwards. 

The policy in place before only required employers to notify MoM if five or more employees are entrenched within a six-month period (a retrenchment exercise) – now an employer is all it takes. 

The employer would be given five days to notify MoM via an online platform from the day in which the notice for retrenchment is given to the employee. Employers are to pay all salaries, including unused annual leave, notice pay, etc., to their employees on their last day of work. 

This is part of COVID-19 support measures pushed out by the government, such that the government and relevant offices would be able to step in to assist the affected employee to provide employment and job search support. 

However, one would have to take note that this is for retrenchment/termination, and not for “forced resignation”. 

As many have pointed out, some employers do resort to unscrupulous means such as making work life miserable for the employee in order to cause the employee to “voluntarily” resign instead of the employer having to terminate the employee. 

In Singapore, while there are no exact requirements in law, employers are generally advised to provide retrenchment benefits for employees, especially for those who served the company for more than two years. The employee may be eligible for two weeks to a month worth of salary per year of service, as per stated in the employment contract. Employees who serve below two years may be entitled to an ex-gratia payment, dependent on the goodwill of the employer. 

Resignations do not incur the same costs, as they are classified differently from retrenchments, hence the push from some employers for employees to “resign” instead. On the other hand, a termination also looks worse on record for the employee, even though it may unfortunately be a more common occurrence within COVID-19 times. 

Overall, it is advised that employers take careful considerations whenever they retrench an employee, or conduct a retrenchment exercise. Notifying the stakeholders early would aid affected employees in searching for employment elsewhere as soon as possible. Retrenching is a difficult topic to manage for both employers and employees, but it is only fair for employers to do their best in reducing the negative effects the employee may face. 

References: 

https://www.mom.gov.sg/employment-practices/retrenchment/responsible-retrenchment

Despite improvements in various sectors, Hong Kong’s bustling economy has yet to make a complete recovery from the covid-19 pandemic, said Hong Kong’s Financial Secretary, Paul Chan Mo-po. 

According to reports from the government, the rate of unemployment has fallen from 7.2% at the start of the year to 5% as of August. The rate of underemployment has also fallen from 4% at the start of the year to 2.4% as of August. 

Different sectors of the economy are recovering at their own paces too. The rate of unemployment in hospitality and retail related industries has fallen from the peak of 11% at the start of the year to 7.2%. Other sectors such as the construction industry, the arts, entertainment and recreation are also showing clear signs of improvement. 

Still, as compared to the pre-COVID level of 5.2%, the rate of unemployment in retail and hospitality are 2% higher. 

There is hope that with the issuance of consumer vouchers, domestic spending on goods would increase and boost the economy. The economy is indeed slowly, but certainly recovering. However, all of these would be for naught if the country and her residents do not comply with Covid-19 measures. The Financial Secretary also called for cooperation by beseeching Hong Kong residents to go for vaccination, as protection against COVID-19 solidifies the foundation for the economy to make a full recovery, back to the way it once was or even better. 
 

Article referenced: 

http://news.cctv.com/2021/08/22/ARTIbOS5rJ71nP5XUY3jYkR7210822.shtml  

Despite the covid-19 pandemic, Malaysians have proved themselves to be resilient and the labor force saw an increase of productivity. Labor productivity is measured in value added per employment, and a report has detailed that a turnaround to 13.6% has occurred. 
 

An explanation given was that the increase in productivity is due to the comparison from the lower base registered a year ago, when it was in the negatives, a figure of around -16.1%. Unemployment has also improved by 2.2%, an impressive feat for a country still fighting against the pandemic and going through political upheaval as of current. 

Meanwhile, a small improvement in unemployment isn’t enough, as the authorities clearly have more ambitious goals. The Social Security Organization (Socso) will organize the International Public Employment Forum 2021 (IPEF 2021) in September, consisting of three programs — all free of charge, open to all — aiming to assist more unemployed persons to land themselves a job.  
 

One such program would be the Career Fair, held from September 7 to September 9, where more than 20,000 jobs from 126 employers would be up for the offering. This event is expected to draw large crowds, especially in the uncertain future of covid-19. 

Alternatively, one does not necessarily need to wait till such events are held in order to find job opportunities at their doorsteps; why fight the crowd when a few clicks online in the right places can land you your very next dream job? Link Compliance also offers job search services, especially if your talents are the perfect match for the industry. Remote-working arrangements are perfectly welcome too. Do check out Link Compliance’s career page to find out more today. 

Articles referenced: 

https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2021/08/18/statistics-dept-malaysias-labour-productivity-in-q2-2021-turned-around-to-1/1998608

https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2021/08/26/international-public-employment-forum-2021-to-help-revive-countrys-labour-s/2000730