XN000022-1995-07-17 — Page 3

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Unemployment and Underemployment statistics for March to May

The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for the period March - May 1995 was 2.9%, and the underemployment rate was 1.9%, according to the latest labour force statistics released today (Monday) by the Census and Statistics Department.

The provisional seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for the period April - June 1995 was 3.1%, while the provisional underemployment rate was 2.1%.

Commenting on the latest figures, a Government spokesman said the increase in the unemployment rate was mostly in the construction, retail, restaurant, hotel, and transport sectors, and to a lesser extent also in the manufacturing sector. In some of As for the increase in the these sectors, lay-offs had apparently increased. underemployment rate, this was concentrated mainly in the construction sector.

The spokesman noted that the latest figures reflected a continued slack in the labour market. In overall terms, while total employment in the past few months still recorded some increase when compared with the same period in the preceding year, total labour supply rose even faster, thereby contributing to the slack and hence the rise in the unemployment rate.

During the period March - May 1995, the number of unemployed persons was estimated at 82,000. Of this, 4,000 were first-time job-seekers. The number of underemployed persons was estimated at 58,900. During this period, total employment rose by 3.6% over a year earlier, while total labour supply was larger by 4.4%.

The unemployment and underemployment statistics were obtained from a continuous General Household Survey conducted by the Census and Statistics Department. The survey for March May 1995 covered a quarterly sample of some 12,800 households or 43,500 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.

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 1995 will be available at the Government Publications Centre by the end of September 1995 at $32 a copy.

End/Monday, July 17, 1995