A Chinese index of employment confidence plummeted in the second quarter to its lowest since the global financial crisis of 2008 and 2009, after tough Covid-19 restrictions took a toll of the economy from April to June, reports The Hindu, citing a central bank survey. Nearly 46% of Chinese households think the employment situation remains "grim" in the second quarter, urban depositors surveyed by the People's Bank of China said. With the survey-based jobless rate in 31 big cities rising to a record of 6.9% in May, Premier Li Keqiang said China would strive to return the economy to a normal track and cut the jobless rate as soon as possible.