The employment in Singapore grew by 36,500 in the second quarter of 2006, higher than the 31,700 gained in the corresponding period of last year, according to the preliminary figures released by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) Monday.

"The favorable economic environment continued to bolster employment creation," the MOM said in a statement, adding that the employment rose in all the major sectors.

Some 24,200 workers found jobs in the services sector in the second quarter, comprising the bulk of the employment growth, while the employment gains for the manufacturing and construction sectors were 8,300 and 4,000 respectively in the same period.

The seasonally adjusted overall unemployment rate rose marginally to 2.9 percent in June this year from 2.6 percent three months ago, but still lower than the 3.4 percent registered a year ago.

A total of 2.4 million workers were employed here as of June 2006 and an estimated 87,600 residents were unemployed.

Source: Xinhua