The International Labour Organisation, the ILO, says poverty is increasing much faster than expected in East Asia and governments need to do more to help the rising numbers of unemployed.

In its latest report, the ILO said there would be little respite for the unemployed even if regional economies began to grow again next year.

It urged governments to take emergency measures, such as introducing unemployment insurance, to alleviate deprivation and avoid further unrest.

A spokesman, Eddy Lee, said he was puzzled why richer economies in the region, such as Singapore and Hongkong, had not done more for the unemployed.