Ratio of S Korean females workers drop amid economic slump

Special Report:Global Financial Crisis

SEOUL, Jan. 28 (Chinese media) -- The ratio of economically active females in South Korea dropped to 48.8 percent last month, as companies dismissed more women amid deteriorating economic condition, the Korea Times reported Wednesday.

The data by the National Statistical Office (NSO) showed that the ratio fell from 50.4 percent in November, marking the lowest figure since last February

The NSO attributed the decrease to the high ratio of part-timers and contract workers among women, who are the first target when businesses decide to cut their workforce.

It added that more females are expected to lose their jobs as job market conditions are likely to worsen in the first half of the year.

The South Korean economy lost 12,000 jobs in December from a year earlier, the first plunge in five years.