*************************************
Following is the transcript (English portion) of the remarks by the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, on the latest unemployment statistics at a media stand-up today (January 19):
Reporter: Is your outlook for the unemployment rate in the new year optimistic? Is there still a long way to go before the unemployment rate can go back to the pre-crisis level?
Secretary for Labour and Welfare: As you see, the unemployment rate has been improving steadily. But we are not totally out of the woods yet because it much depends on the external environment. We are still talking about early days of recovery. But the trend is positive and encouraging. And with the Lunar New Year around the corner, we expect business activities to pick up and this will generate demand, thereby easing the pressure on unemployment, at least in the short term.
Reporter: What about youth unemployment problems?
Secretary for Labour and Welfare: Youth employment has been improving, particularly, notably in the 15-19 age group. It is now down to 20.1%. We are talking about only 10,000 youngsters waiting for employment. In fact, with the pre-employment training programmes in full swing, I am sure that they are providing opportunities for our youngsters. If they really want to be trained and to have a second opportunity, chances are there.
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript)
Ends/Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Issued at HKT 17:59
NNNN
