Hong Kong's unemployment rate slightly rose, said the Census and Statistics Department of Hong Kong Tuesday.

 

Comparing with the unemployment rate of 4.9 percent in March to May period, the unemployment rate in April to June period rose slightly to 5.0 percent and the increases were mainly observed in the sanitary services, construction and business services sectors.

 

The underemployment rate also edged up slightly, from 2.6 percent to 2.7 percent and the increases were reported in the communications, amusement and recreational services, and manufacturing sectors.

 

However, a government spokesman said the overall sentiment in the economy generally and the labor market in particular remained generally positive, though the unemployment rate rose back slightly.

 

(Xinhua News Agency July 19, 2006)