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During the period August - October 1996, the number of unemployed persons was estimated at 79,900. The number of underemployed persons was estimated at 45,200.
The unemployment and underemployment statistics were obtained from a continuous General Household Survey. The survey for August - October 1996 covered a quarterly sample of some 23,000 households or 77,900 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 September 1996 will be on sale at the Government Publications Centre on ground floor, Low Block, 66 Queensway, Hong Kong, by the end of this month.
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LRC publishes Report on Interception of Communications
The Law Reform Commission today (Monday) published a report on "Privacy: Regulating the Interception of Communications". The report follows the issue of a consultation paper on "Privacy: Regulating Surveillance and the Interception of Communications" in April 1996 by the Commission's Privacy sub-committee. The consultation paper proposed that interception of communications should be prohibited unless carried out pursuant to a warrant granted by the court.
Mr Stuart Stoker, the Secretary to the Commission, said that the overwhelming majority of those who responded to the consultation paper supported the proposal that interception of communications should be regulated by law.
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