XN000022-1997-03-18 — Page 8

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Commenting on these figures, a Government spokesman said that overall labour market conditions seemed to have been tightening in recent months. The unemployment rate fell below the 2.5% mark for the first time since January 1995. Also, the underemployment rate, at 1.2%, was the lowest recorded since September 1994.

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Comparing the latest period December 1996 February 1997 with the period November 1996 January 1997, declines in the unemployment rate were observed in the restaurants and hotels, import/export trade and transport sectors, while the situation in the other sectors remained generally stable. As to the underemployment rate, decreases occurred mainly in the construction, manufacturing and transport sectors. The situation in the other sectors was stable.

Total employment continued to grow at a pace distinctly faster than that of the labour force. In the three months ending January 1997, total employment registered a significant increase, by 4.2% over a year earlier. Over the same period, total labour force grew by 3.3%.

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During the period November 1996 January 1997, the number of unemployed persons was estimated at 74,100, and the number of underemployed persons at 43,400.

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The unemployment and underemployment statistics were obtained from a continuous General Household Survey. The survey for November 1996 January 1997 covered a quarterly sample of some 23,200 households or 77,600 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 1996 will be on sale at the Government Publications Centre at ground floor, Low Block, 66 Queensway, Hong Kong, by the end of March 1997.

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