[New Crown Pneumonia] Government should prescribe medicine for underemployment

01 perspective

Written by: Comment Editor

2020-02-29 09:00

From the anti-revision case to the new type of coronavirus pneumonia, large and small enterprises have gradually introduced unpaid leave to reduce expenditure. Unpaid leave may avoid layoffs, but underemployment is widespread and not without harm. The Government is currently paying attention to the unemployment rate or underestimating the extent of underemployment. The Census and Statistics Department should revise its statistical methods to address the problem.

The government and the media have always attached more importance to the unemployment rate than the underemployment rate. Although unemployment represents no income, it is worse than underemployment. However, underemployment can also dampen citizens' income and should not be ignored. The recent outbreak has cited various unpaid leave, such as one day per week, four days per month, two weeks per month, or three weeks per four months. Working hours are cut, and even if employees agree, but are not willing to do so, the average person thinks that this is considered to be insufficient work.

Official statistics or underestimates

However, the definition of the Statistical Office is much narrower. "Unemployed" needs to meet the following conditions:

I. Worked less than 35 hours involuntarily within 7 days before the statistics; and

2. Those who are looking for more jobs in the 30 days before the statistics, or who can hold more jobs in the 7 days before the statistics.

The guidelines may seem clear, but the reference period for specific working hours is set by the Census and Statistics Department to 7 days, which may not reflect the real situation. For example, if employees work normally during the 7 days before the sample survey and work more than 35 hours, but take unpaid leave before or after, they will most likely not be included in the underemployed population. Therefore, Hong Kong's underemployed population is underestimated.

Due to different methods of reducing the working hours of enterprises, the Census and Statistics Department should adjust the definition of underemployment, such as adding the condition of "involuntary work less than 35 hours in 7 days in the 30 days before the statistics" in order to make the statistics more realistic.

The consequences are no less severe than unemployment

There is no doubt that the number and proportion of underemployment will definitely rise. Underemployed people include full-time citizens whose hours have been cut, as well as a group of part-time and casual workers who cannot find longer or more jobs. The two not only have a small income and low spending power, but also some employers deliberately evade the continuous contract requirements commonly known as "418". For example, they do not bear benefits such as severance payments and increasing annual leave. Labor protection is in doubt.

Furthermore, although fragmented work is the current trend in the workplace, workplace culture and legal protection have not kept up. When the job market is booming, migrant workers see that part-time jobs or "scattering" can use time flexibly, salaries are good, and they don't mind less employment protection, but when the job market shrinks, problems will arise. When recruiting, many companies learn that candidates are part-time casual workers for a period of time, and they may question the lack of work ability or lack of loyalty. People with low skills and education levels are hurting even more, because positions can be replaced at any time, and the job is not guaranteed.

Take the opportunity to alleviate industry manpower

The government supports enterprises and guarantees employment, and has introduced various relief and subsidy measures in recent months. It will take time to verify the results. Even if the epidemic is over, it is difficult for Hong Kong to quickly return to full employment a year or two ago, and some employees engaged in retail, tourism and other industries should be prepared to change careers. Officials often mention that the health care, care for the elderly, and children industries are chronically understaffed. The Labour and Welfare Bureau should step up its support to the industry, improve job benefits, and cooperate with training courses to attract new entrants. It can also reduce the shortage of manpower and improve the quality of care.

[Budget] Don't see "chilled rice" support for innovation

Why can't Hong Kong do the German unpaid leave system?

[Wuhan Pneumonia] Why Unemployment Protection Failed to Rescue the Approaching Fire?

01 perspective

Unemployment Rate New Crown Pneumonia Wuhan Pneumonia Labor Security 01 Viewpoint