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Commenting on the latest figures, a Government spokesman said that labour market conditions showed a gradual improvement in recent months. For the latest period April - June 1996, the decrease in the unemployment rate was concentrated mainly in the construction sector, while the unemployment situation in the other major sectors remained broadly stable. As to the underemployment rate, decreases were observed in the construction, transport, and restaurants and hotels sectors. The underemployment situation in the other major sectors was likewise stable.
The growth in total labour supply continued to outstrip that in total employment. In the three months ending May 1996, total employment grew by 2.9% over a year earlier, while total labour supply rose relatively faster, by 3.3%.
During the period March - May 1996, the number of unemployed persons with previous jobs was estimated at 89,800. Another 5,100 unemployed persons were first- time job-seekers. The number of underemployed persons was estimated at 59,000.
The unemployment and underemployment statistics were obtained from a continuous General Household Survey. The survey for March - May 1996 covered a quarterly sample of some 21,600 households or 72,700 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.
In the survey, the definitions used in measuring unemployment and underemployment follow closely those recommended by the International Labour Organisation.
'Seasonally adjusted' refers to adjustment for seasonal variations in the proportion of first-time job-seekers in the labour force.
Detailed analysis of labour force characteristics is given in the report on the General Household Survey which is published four times a year.
The next report covering the quarter ending June 1996 will be on sale at the Government Publications Centre at ground floor, Low Block, 66 Queensway, Hong Kong, by the end of September.
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