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Governor voices concern over unemployment figures
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The Governor, the Rt Hon Christopher Patten, today (Tuesday) expressed concern over the rate of unemployment in Hong Kong.
Mr Patten was commenting on unemployment figures released today when he spoke to the media after a visit to the Hong Kong Technical College (Chai Wan).
He said the figures were undoubtedly disturbing. However, he did not think that anybody had to be alarmed at the trend in unemployment.
The Governor noted that unemployment in Hong Kong is much lower than in most other communities.
"Nevertheless, we have enjoyed very low unemployment figures for many years, and all of us want to see it staying like that.
"In order the ensure that we have the best possible labour market and the best possible employment figures and prospect in the future, it is extremely important to do everything we can to go on improving training, re-training and job placement.
"And I want to see us give particular priority to these areas of policy in coming months and years," he said.
The Governor said he knew that there were concerns on the part of unions and the workforce about the trend in unemployment over the past few months.
"So I have invited leaders of our unions and their representatives in the Legislative Council to come and meet me this week on Thursday to discuss their concerns," he said.
Replying to a question on the importation of labour, the Governor said this was an issue which the Government would like to discuss with representatives of the workforce.
He noted that during a recent debate on the subject in the Legislative Council, the Government had made it clear that it intended to review the general labour importation scheme and that for the time being there would be no new quota allocated.