TNAG-0621-FCO40-769-Budget-of-Hong-Kong-1977 — Page 137

G.F. 323

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29.

59.

In September 1976 there were 88,000 persons unemployed compared

to 180,000 in the same month a year ago and 109,000 in March 1976. Taken

together with the corresponding decrease in the size of the labour force,

these give a total employment level in September 1976 only 1.6% higher

than in September 1975 and no higher than in March 1976. The increase

of 1.6% only were in large contrast to the gains in employment reported by

the manufacturing and other selected sectors in response to regular

employment surveys during the same period. Presumably, a shift of employment

from one sector to another must have taken place. The proportion of the

working population which was self-employed (including hawkers) was 11.0%

in September 1975. This fell to 7.1% in March 1976, releasing some 68,000

persons. They have either left the labour force or have taken up employment

in other productive sectors, most probably in manufacturing, which provided

better opportunities for more earnings. This shift must have continued

since March 1976 as manufacturing employment for the rest of the year

has recorded significant increases.

60.

Table 29 analyses unemployed persons by the type of wiemployment.

Consistent with improved economic conditions and better employment

opportunities, the proportion of the labour force that was not secking

work because they believed that work was not available decreased significantly

between September 1975 and Sertember 1976. Correspondingly, the public

assistance caseload which in December 1975 had reached the highest level

ever recorded, continued to decline throughout 1976 (see Diagram 9).

The caseload in December 1976 totalled 49,899, 10% lower than the caseload

in the same month in 1975. Most of the reduction in the caseload took

place in the first half of 1976 reflecting the rapid im rovement in

employment since the middle of 1975.

:

Table 29, Diagram 9 ]

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