XN000022-1995-05-16 — Page 6

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Unemployment and underemployment figures for Jan - Mar 1995

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The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for January March 1995 was 2.8%, and the underemployment rate was 1.4%, according to the latest labour force statistics released today (Tuesday) by the Census and Statistics Department.

The provisional seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for the period of February - April 1995 was 3.0%, while the provisional underemployment rate was 1.5%.

"The latest unemployment figures show that the labour market has eased somewhat from the latter part of last year," a Government spokesman said.

"This is in part due to more lay-offs, but is also the result of more workers quitting because they were not satisfied with their jobs. Nevertheless, for those in employment, the underemployment rate has remained at a low level."

During the period of January - March 1995, the number of unemployed persons was estimated at 78,800. Of this, 6,300 were first-time job-seekers. The number of underemployed personis was estimated at 42,800.

The unemployment and underemployment statistics were obtained from a continuous General Household Survey conducted by the Census and Statistics Department.

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The survey for January March 1995 covered a quarterly sample of some 12,600 households or 42,800 persons, selected scientifically to represent the land- based civilian non-institutional population in Hong Kong.

Relevant data were obtained from the survey by interviewing each individual 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.