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Following is the transcript (English portion) of the remarks made by the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, on the latest unemployment statistics at a media stand-up today (October 19):
As business conditions gradually improve and the labour market stabilises, employers may adopt a more positive attitude towards recruitment. This is expected to ease the pressure on the unemployment rate in the near term.
Looking ahead, as overseas markets have yet to fully recover, a sustained and solid recovery will hinge on a fundamental improvement in the external environment. The recovery path may still be uneven.
We will remain vigilant and continue to do our best to help the unemployed and closely monitor the labour market situation.
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)
Ends/Monday, October 19, 2009
Issued at HKT 19:04
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