XN000022-1996-03-18 — Page 6

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Total labour supply continued to rise at a faster rate than total employment. In the three months ending January 1996, total labour supply rose by 3.6% over a year earlier, while total employment was 2.4% higher.

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During the period November 1995 January 1996, the number of unemployed persons with previous jobs was estimated at 89,300. Another 9,000 unemployed persons were first-time job-seekers. The number of underemployed persons was estimated at 74 800.

The unemployment and underemployment statistics were obtained from a continuous General Household Survey. The survey for November 1995 - January 1996 covered a quarterly sample of some 18,100 households or 61,400 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 December 1995 will be on sale at the Government Publications Centre on ground floor, Low Block, 66 Queensway, Hong Kong, by the end of March.

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