Unemployment rate rose to 3.3% in December, unemployment rate in consumer tourism related industries was 5.2%, highest in three years

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Written by: Yuan Yan

2020-01-20 17:21

Demonstrated opposition to the amendment of the Fugitive Offenders for more than half a year. The Census and Statistics Department today (20th) released the latest labour force statistics. From October to December 2019, the unemployment rate in Hong Kong was 3.3%, an increase of 0.1 percentage point from 3.2% in August to October. The underemployment rate remained unchanged during the two periods, remaining at 1.2%. The Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Law Chi-kwong, said that businesses related to consumer and tourism-related industries (ie retail, accommodation and catering services) remained sluggish, with the industry's total unemployment rate remaining at 5.2%, the highest level in three years.

Data from the Census and Statistics Department show that the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate rose from 3.2% in September to November 2019 to 3.3% in October to December. The underemployment rate remained unchanged during the two periods, remaining at 1.2%. The number of unemployed fell from 125,400 in September to November last year to 124,000, while the number of unemployed was 47,400, similar to the number in September to November last year.

On December 25, at more than 11:00 pm, the police dispersed in Mong Kok for several rounds. (Photo by Zeng Ziyang)

The Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Law Chi-kwong, said that the economic situation was still weak, which further slowed the labor market. The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased by 0.1 percentage point to 3.3% from October to December 2019, while the underemployment rate remained at 1.2%. The year-on-year decline in total employment has further expanded.

Luo Zhiguang pointed out that business related to the consumer and travel related industries (ie retail, accommodation and catering services) remained sluggish. The total unemployment rate in these industries remained at 5.2%, the highest level in three years. (Profile picture)

He noted that businesses in the consumer and travel-related industries, namely retail, accommodation and catering services, remained sluggish. The total unemployment rate in these industries has remained at 5.2%, the highest level in three years. The underemployment rate has increased significantly compared with the previous period. The increase in the underemployment rate of those engaged in catering services has been particularly significant, and the number of employed persons continues to record sharp Year-on-year decline.

At the same time, the construction industry, that is, those engaged in building decoration, repairs and maintenance, has a significantly worse unemployment rate than in the previous period.

Luo Zhiguang said that the government would closely monitor the development of the labor market. (Profile picture)

Law Chi-kwong: Labour Department will continue to provide comprehensive free employment services through multiple platforms

Law Chi-kwong stated that the Labour Department would continue to provide comprehensive and free employment services through its employment centres, industrial recruitment centres and online platforms, as well as for job seekers with special needs or difficulties in employment (such as youth, middle-aged and senior citizens). And people with disabilities) to implement special employment programmes to enhance their employability. On the other hand, the Employees Retraining Board is also implementing a "Special Value Added Program" to support unemployed or underemployed people to upgrade their skills.

For large-scale job fairs, the Labour Department will hold a "Tuen Mun Job Fair" at the Tuen Mun Town Hall on March 3 and 4, with about 40 employers participating. The Labour Department will also hold a "Recruitment Expo for Elderly and Rehabilitation Services" at the Macpherson Indoor Stadium on March 18 and 19. In addition, the Labour Department regularly organises industry- or district-based job fairs in industry-based recruitment centres and employment centres in various districts throughout Hong Kong.

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