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Unemployment and underemployment statistics
The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for the period June to August 1995 was 3.5%, and the underemployment rate was 2.5%, according to the latest labour force statistics released today (Monday) by the Census and Statistics Department.
The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate and the underemployment rate for the period July to September 1995 remained unchanged at 3.5% and 2.5% respectively (provisional figures).
Commenting on these figures, a government spokesman said the labour market situation seemed to have become somewhat more stable in overall terms in recent months. The unemployment rate remained at 3.5%.
"The unemployment rates in import/export trades, restaurants and hotels, and transport declined, offsetting the rise in unemployment rates in manufacturing and in foundation and superstructure construction.
"The underemployment rates in most of the major sectors remained broadly stable," the spokesman said.
"Total employment continued to increase steadily, but this was outstripped by an even stronger labour supply. In the three months ending August 1995, total labour supply rose markedly, by 4.3% over a year earlier, while total employment was 2.6% higher," the spokesman added.
During the period June to August 1995, the number of unemployed persons with previous jobs was estimated at 95,700. Another 15,200 unemployed persons were first-time job-seekers. The number of underemployed persons was estimated at 77,300.
The unemployment and underemployment statistics were obtained from a continuous General Household Survey.
The survey for June to August 1995 covered a quarterly sample of some 14,500 households or 49,700 persons, selected scientifically to represent the land-based civilian non-institutional population in Hong Kong.
Data were obtained from the survey by interviewing each member aged 15 or over in the households sampled.