BEIJING -- The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security (MHRSS) said Thursday it would strive to find jobs for about 80 percent of the country's college graduates by the end of August when they are due to graduate.

The statement came as the country is still under tremendous pressure to find jobs for 6.1 million college students graduating this summer, while one million from last year are still looking for jobs.

The ministry said early this month that only about 45 percent of this year's college graduates, or 2.75 million, had signed contracts with employers. The proportion is three percentage points lower than a year ago.

Minister Yin Weimin said Thursday the ministry would pursue "more active" policies to expand employment in the second half, and college graduates would be a focus of their efforts.

Yin asked local branches to appoint as soon as possible specific divisions and officials in charge of finding jobs for graduates and hold them responsible for it.

He warned that the financial crisis is yet to bottom out and its impact on employment is still unfolding. He urged officials to prepare for the worst.