The COVID-19 pandemic has affected five million workers as of mid-April, bringing first quarter unemployment rate to five-year high, according to the General Statistics Office’s recent survey. 

Manufacturing and processing were hit hardest by COVID-19, followed
by wholesale and retail and accommodation and catering services 

Of the above figure, 13% have lost jobs, 28% are taking turns to work, and 59% have been temporarily out of work, the GSO said.

Unemployment rate picked up 3.18% and 1.73% in urban and rural areas compared to the previous quarter.

Manufacturing and processing were hit hardest with 1.2 million, followed by wholesale and retail with 1.1 million and accommodation and catering services with 740,000. 

The pandemic caused huge impacts on business production and laborers, in which low-income, young and old workers are among most vulnerable groups, said Vu Thi Thu Thuy, Director of the GSO’s Department of Population and Labor Statistics.

Labor force participation dipped to 10-year low of 75.4% in the reviewed period, down by 1.2-1.3 percent from the previous quarter and the same period last year, Thuy added.

Around 84.8% of surveyed businesses, especially large and medium-sized ones, said they have faced difficulties caused by COVID-19.

However, 5.3% of the respondents said they have taken advantage of this period of time to improve skills for their workers./.