The March to May jobless rate remained stable at 4.3 percent,
while the underemployment rate nudged up from 2.1 percent to 2.2
percent, official figures indicated Thursday.
Falls in the jobless rate were mainly observed in the
communications, sanitary services and financing sectors, while
increases were more apparent in the decoration and maintenance,
retail and restaurants sectors, according to the Census and
Statistics Department of the Hong Kong Special Administrative
Region government.
Increases in the underemployment rate were mainly seen in the
construction, and amusement and recreational services sectors, the
department said.
Total employment rose by about 14,000, from 3,462,000 between
February to April to 3,476,000 between March and May.
Over the same period, about 13,300 newcomers entered the labor
force, taking it from 3,618,300 to a new high of 3,631,600, said
the department.
(Xinhua News Agency June 22, 2007)