Press Release

 

 

Unemployment rate continues to stabilise

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The provisional seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for July - September 1999 was 6.1 per cent, and the provisional underemployment rate was 3.1 per cent, according to the latest labour force statistics released today (Tuesday) by the Census and Statistics Department.

For June - August 1999, both the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate and the underemployment rate were confirmed to be the same as the previously released provisional figures of 6.1 per cent and 2.9 per cent respectively.

Comparing July - September 1999 with June - August 1999, increases in unemployment rate were observed in decoration and maintenance, transport, wholesale trade and hotels, offsetting the decreases seen in communications and business services. As to the underemployment rate, increases occurred mainly in manufacturing, decoration and maintenance, restaurants and transport.

For June - August 1999, the size of the total labour force was 3,468,500, of whom 3,247,900 were employed and 220,600 were unemployed. In the same period, the number of underemployed persons was 102,000. For July - September 1999, the size of the total labour force was provisionally estimated at 3,459,000, within which, 3,235,000 were employed persons and 224,000 were unemployed persons. The corresponding figure for underemployed persons was 109,000.

The Government Economist, Mr K Y Tang, noted that while the entry of fresh graduates and school leavers into the labour market in recent months had caused the total number of unemployed persons to rise, indications were that some of the graduates and school leavers continued to be absorbed by the jobs available. As to the increase in the numbers underemployed, a relevant factor was the work disruption consequential to the rainy weather, particularly in the construction sector.

Speaking at a press briefing today, the Secretary for Education and Manpower, Mr Joseph W P Wong, said that employment prospects have continued to improve in the labour market.

In September, the Labour Department secured 14,000 vacancies and successfully found jobs for over 4,200 job seekers, both figures representing record high levels during the past 14 months. From January to September 1999, the Department has helped 32,000 people find jobs, representing a 29 per cent increase over the corresponding period last year.

Around 4,000 or 73 per cent of the graduates who have completed full-time retraining courses provided by the Employees' Retraining Board have successfully found a job in April and May 1999. This placement rate compared favourably to 70 per cent placement rate in the corresponding period last year. Some of the recently introduced tailor-made courses such as property attendants, assistant hair stylists and knitwear sewing have achieved placement rates of over 90 per cent.

"Looking ahead, it is estimated that some 65,000 jobs will be created in the next fifteen months as a result of Government's major initiatives, infrastructural projects and other public works programme items in the next fifteen months," Mr Wong said.

Major infrastructural and public work projects that will be carried out in the next six months include the road and wetland development in Tin Shui Wai, redevelopment of Kowloon Hospital and Caritas Medical Centre, West Rail Phase I, etc. These projects will create some 12,000 new job opportunities.

"In addition to the major infrastructural programme, many other initiatives announced in the Chief Executive's 1999 Policy Address, including the substantial investment in environmental improvement, will bring about further new job opportunities," Mr Wong said.

Meanwhile, the Youth Pre-employment Training Programme is progressing smoothly. Up to mid October, 220 courses have been or are being held and some 4,000 trainees are undergoing training provided by the Youth Pre-employment Training Programme. The workplace attachment phase of the Programme will start in late October. Some 12,000 workplace attachment places have been secured from over 500 organisations.

The unemployment and underemployment statistics were obtained from a continuous General Household Survey. The survey for June - August 1999 covered a quarterly sample of some 24,000 households or 79,100 persons, selected in accordance with a scientifically designed sampling scheme to represent the population of Hong Kong. Data on labour force characteristics were obtained from the survey by interviewing each member aged 15 or over in the sampled households.

In the survey, the definitions used in measuring unemployment and underemployment follow closely those recommended by the International Labour Organisation.

The unemployment rate is "seasonally adjusted". This refers to the adjustment for seasonal variations in the proportion of first-time job-seekers in the labour force.

Detailed analysis of labour force characteristics is given in the report on the General Household Survey which is published four times a year.

The report covering the quarter ending September 1999 will be on sale at the Government Publications Centre, Ground Floor, Low Block, Queensway Government Offices, 66 Queensway, Hong Kong, by end November 1999. It will also be available for sale at the Publications Unit of the Census and Statistics Department, 19th floor, Wanchai Tower, 12 Harbour Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong. Regular subscription can be arranged with the Publications Sales Section of the Information Services Department (Tel.: 2842 8844 or 2842 8845). Internet users may order the publication through the Internet Home Page of the Information Services Department (Address: http://www.info.gov.hk/isd/ book_e.htm).

Enquiries for more detailed statistics for June - August 1999 can be directed to the General Household Survey Section (2), Census and Statistics Department at Tel : 2887 5506.

End/Tuesday, October 19, 1999

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