Labour market report for Q1

The Ministry of Manpower is set to release its report on the labour market from January to March. The preliminary data at end-April showed several bright spots, including an on-year rebound in employment growth, the overall seasonally adjusted unemployment rate holding steady at 1.9 per cent as well as fewer layoffs. Total employment grew by 11,400, reversing the 6,100 contraction in the same period last year. The growth in the first quarter was, however, lower than the seasonally high growth in the preceding three months (16,100).

Vivian in Kunming

Singapore’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan is in Kunming, China today to attend the Special Association of South-east Asian Nations (Asean) - China Foreign Ministers’ Meeting. Dr Balakrishnan will co-chair the Special Asean-China Foreign Ministers’ Meeting with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi.

The meeting will discuss Asean-China relations, and the effective implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) and consultations on the Code of Conduct (COC). China signed the DOC with Asean in 2002. The DOC states that all signatories are to resolve disputes through dialogues and diplomatic means.

Merkel in China

German Chancellor Angela Merkel will hold a joint news conference with Chinese prime minister Li Keqiang today as part of her three-day visit to China. She will also meet with President Xi Jinping today.

Ms Merkel’s trip comes in the midst of unhappiness in Europe about Chinese steel exports, the robust growth of which has come under fire from global rivals, who have accused China of dumping cheap exports after a slowdown in demand at home. However, China had denied its mills have been dumping their products in other countries, saying trade flows are determined by the market.

Spain VS Czech Republic

Spain coach Vicente Del Bosque will wait until the last minute to announce whether it will be veteran Iker Casillas or troubled David De Gea in goal when Spain takes on the Czech Republic in their opener at the European Championship. The match kicks off at 9pm tonight, Singapore time. Other games will see Republic of Ireland take on Sweden, and Belgium face Italy.

Weather forecast

Thundery showers mainly over southern, eastern and western Singapore in the late morning and early afternoon, with temperatures ranging from 25°C to 33°C.