Taiwan's jobless rate fell to a two-year low of 4.67 per cent last month, from 4.73 per cent in November, as firms expanded to meet increasing demand amid the economic recovery, according to a government agency. The agency expects joblessness to drop further ahead of the week-long Lunar New Year holidays. Taipei Times

Hi-tech workers have low expectations

Most of Taiwan's hi-tech workers do not expect any bonus this year, a survey by the Council of Labour Affairs' online job bank shows. A survey of 4,583 office workers last month by eJob shows that 48 per cent do expect a year-end bonus, while 45 per cent expect their bonus to be up to five months' salary. Four per cent expect it to be less than a month's salary, while 2.4 per cent expect it to be one to two months. Taipei Times

British employers target school leavers

A study by the Association of Graduate Recruiters (AGR) in Britain finds that a growing number of employers are targeting school leavers instead of limiting vacancies to applicants with a degree, reports the Daily Telegraph. "Businesses will continue to recruit graduates, but there is a recognition that there are many talented young people who don't go to university, party because of the growing concern about levels of student debt," says Carl Gilleard, AGR's chief executive.

Sands casino scraps sick-leave sanctions

The Singapore casino of Las Vegas Sands has reversed a policy that would have penalised staff who take sick leave over the Lunar New Year. Marina Bay Sands scrapped a plan to give demerit points to staff who fail to show up for work even if they have a medical certificate, according to the company. Employees with perfect attendance during the period will earn extra merit points. Under the plan reported by the Straits Times, staff at the Singapore casino with a medical certificate for leave during the period would have received two demerit points, and those without a certificate would have got four demerit points. Dealers will likely receive higher tips during the Lunar New Year, Marina Bay Sands says. Bloomberg News