SINGAPORE -- A local union of electronics workers says 2,000 more layoffs are expected this quarter. That almost equals the sum -- 2,300 -- of the union's layoffs from all of last year.

The United Workers of Electronic and Electrical Industries union says many of the displaced electronics workers will be retrained to find jobs in the medical and hotel industries.

ARLINGTON, VA -- Electronic component orders fell in December for the second consecutive month, according to the monthly index compiled by the Electronic Components Association (ECA).

The 12-month average, comparing 2008 results to those from 2007, continued a descent that began this summer.

“Most manufacturers have seen declining results in November and December,” says Bob Willis, ECA president, in a press release. “There may be a modest positive bump in the first quarter of 2009 as inventories are adjusted, but there is little or no significant growth anticipated until the late third or fourth quarter.”