Pedestrians walk in the rain in Hong Kong’s Causeway Bay area on Feb 19, 2022.
(BERTHA WANG / AFP)
HONG KONG – Hong Kong's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate dropped by 0.1 percentage points to 3.7 percent for the period between September and November compared to the period from August to October, the Census and Statistics Department announced on Friday.
The underemployment rate also decreased to 1.6 percent during the period, according to a government press release.
Total employment rose by around 8,400 to 3,657,000 while the labor force numbered 3,795,900 or about the same as the 3,796,000 between August and October
Total employment rose by around 8,400 to 3,657,000 while the labor force numbered 3,795,900 or about the same as the 3,796,000 between August and October.
There were 138,900 unemployed people from September to November, a drop of about 8,500 from the preceding three-month period. The number of underemployed people also went down by around 3,700 to 59,700.
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Almost all major economic sectors saw a decrease in the unemployment rate, with a more distinct decrease observed in the foundation and superstructure sector. As to the underemployment rate, decreases were mainly seen in the decoration, repair and maintenance for buildings sector; and food and beverage service activities sector.
Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun said the labor market continued to improve and its near-term outlook will depend on the pace of revival in domestic economic activities.
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“The further relaxation of epidemic-related measures and the Consumption Voucher Scheme also help, but tightened financial conditions will partly offset the positive effects. It remains vital for the community to work together with the Government to continue to contain the epidemic," Sun said.