122 | Employment
Labour Market Situation
53.1 per
Hong Kong's labour force comprised 3.65 million people in 2010 cent men and 46.9 per cent women, representing a fall of 0.6 per cent over 2009.
The majority, or 88.3 per cent, of people employed were in the service sectors: 32.4 per cent in the import/export, wholesale and retail trades, and accommodation and food services; 25.6 per cent in public administration, and social and personal services; 18.6 per cent in financing and insurance, real estate, and professional and business services; and 11.8 per cent in transportation, storage, postal and courier services, and information and communications. Only 3.4 per cent worked in the manufacturing sector, of which about one-fifth were in the manufacture of food products and beverages.
Employment Situation
The labour market showed visible improvement in 2010. The overall unemployment rate fell from 5.4 per cent in 2009 to 4.4 per cent in 2010, while the underemployment rate also declined from 2.3 per cent in 2009 to 2 per cent in 2010. Total employment rose by about 12 700, from 3 479 800 in 2009 to 3 492 500 in 2010.
Employment Earnings
In 2010, 13.4 per cent of people with jobs were earning less than $5,000 a month, while the percentage of people earning $30,000 and above was 13.3. The median monthly employment earnings rose by $500 from $10,500 in 2009 to $11,000 in 2010. In 2010, the median monthly employment earnings for higher- skilled workers such as managers and administrators, professionals and associate professionals was $20,000, while those with lower skills was $8,000.
Wages
Wage rates are calculated on a time basis, either daily or monthly, or on an incentive basis according to the volume of work performed. The average wage rate for employees up to the supervisory level, increased by 3.3 per cent in money terms between December 2009 and December 2010. After discounting changes in consumer prices, the average wage rate dropped by 0.3 per cent in real terms.
In December 2010, the average monthly wage rate for employees up to the supervisory level in the import/export, wholesale and retail trades was $14,773. Based on the wage indices, the average wage rate for this group increased by 4.4 per cent in money terms, and increased by 0.8 per cent in real terms, compared with December 2009.
Over the same period, the average wage rate in the manufacturing sector decreased by 1 per cent in money terms, and decreased by 4.4 per cent in real terms. The average daily wage in this sector was $347 for craftsmen and operatives.
Labour Administration and Services
The Labour Department is headed by the Commissioner for Labour. It formulates and implements labour policies; enforces labour legislation, provides free