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New Coronary Pneumonia|Unemployment rate 5.9%, a new high of more than 15 years, surpassing the level of the financial tsunami

2020-06-17T12:12:24.307Z


The epidemic continued for nearly half a year, the economy of all walks of life was hit hard, and the job market became increasingly tense. The government announced the latest figures for the unemployment rate today (16th). From March to May, the unemployment rate climbed to 5.9%, the highest in more than 15 years. The Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Luo Zhiguang, pointed out that the total unemployment rate in the retail, accommodation and catering services industry has soared to 10.6%, the highest level after being hit hard by SARS from August to October 2003; Rose to 6.3%, the highest since record. Many industries bear the brunt. The middle-aged lady in the jewelry retail industry has lost her "rice bowl" before the Hong Kong Government launched the "Guaranteed Employment" program. She lamented that it is difficult to apply for a job at present, but she clearly refused to apply for CSSA; others were dissatisfied. The government only assists enterprises, but it does not assist the unemployed.


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Written by: Yuan Shu, Chen Jiayi, Chen Shuxia

2020-06-16 16:36

Date of last update: 16:41 2020-06-16

The epidemic continued for nearly half a year, the economy of all walks of life was hit hard, and the job market became increasingly tense. The government announced the latest figures for the unemployment rate today (16th). From March to May, the unemployment rate climbed to 5.9%, the highest in more than 15 years.

The Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Luo Zhiguang, pointed out that the total unemployment rate in the retail, accommodation and catering services industry has soared to 10.6%, the highest level after being hit hard by SARS from August to October 2003; Rose to 6.3%, the highest since record.

Many industries bear the brunt. The middle-aged lady in the jewelry retail industry has lost her "rice bowl" before the Hong Kong Government launched the "Guaranteed Employment" program. She lamented that it is difficult to apply for a job at present, but she clearly refused to apply for CSSA; others were dissatisfied. The government only assists enterprises, but it does not assist the unemployed.

▼A number of measures of the second round of anti-epidemic and anti-epidemic funds▼

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(Photo/Photo by Li Zetong)

Ms. Chen, a 60-year-old looking for a job in the recruitment center of the Labour Department, was originally a salesman of a large jewelry company. She referred to the company as a listed group and thought that the work was stable. However, the epidemic caused the company's business to plummet. It became the first batch of companies to be fired in mid-February. Staff. Ms. Chen speculated that she was older and was the first to be "operated". Later, the government launched the "employment protection" plan. She learned that some colleagues avoided layoffs.

Because the epidemic caused the company's business to plummet, Ms. Chen, who was originally a salesman of the jewelry company, was laid off in mid-February. (Photo by Chen Jiayi)

She felt helpless about being laid off and bluntly said that she was not only retrenched herself, but the whole economy of Hong Kong and the global economy was also hit by the epidemic. She continued by pointing out that there was business in the anti-revision movement last year. After the outbreak of the epidemic, both free-travel tourists from the Mainland and overseas tourists have greatly reduced, local consumer sentiment is low, and jewelry stores have "zero income."

She has so far found 7-8 jobs, including jewelry industry, security and handyman. She hopes to find some new positions recently provided by the government, such as security guards to detect heat. She also said that the current market situation is sluggish, and she can only find another job, such as cleaning.

She said that she had no savings, lost more than 10,000 yuan in income, and had to pay 10,000 yuan in rent with her family. At present, she is worried about "when there is no way out," "If you don't have economic pressure, you will be erected." She believes that the age of more than 60 years is one of the reasons why it is difficult to find a job, but she does not want to apply for CSSA because she still has the ability to work.

Compared with the epidemic, she is more worried about the political situation in Hong Kong. The national security laws in the port area may cause investors to lose confidence and affect the economy, and it will be difficult to make ends meet.

Ms. Chen found seven to eight jobs, including jewelry industry, security and handyman. (Photo by Chen Jiayi)

Another 50-year-old Mr. Huang said that he started looking for a job in October last year. Unexpectedly, the epidemic occurred at the end of January and it was even more difficult to find a job. He originally worked in an office building, trying to find jobs in different industries, but "food and drink, and tourism are not." He believes that the epidemic prevention fund only assists employers to retain employees, but does not help the unemployed to find jobs.

He had expected the epidemic to improve, but recently there were many confirmed cases in Liyuan Village, Shatian, and he felt helpless. During unemployment, he only had to reduce his expenditure on meals. He hoped that the government could distribute more subsidies to citizens and provide employment training.

Chen Maobo: Unemployment rate inevitably will further increase the number of unemployed or see the highest in 15 years

New crown pneumonia│Luo Zhiguang: Although the unemployment rate in April has not been announced, the figures continue to rise and there is no suspense

Unemployment rate of the guaranteed employment plan

Source: hk1

All news articles on 2020-06-17

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