TNAG-1483-FCO40-2037-Economic-situation-in-Hong-Kong-1986 — Page 55

CHAPTER 4: THE LABOUR SECTOR

General developments

4.1

economic

Against the background of a general revival in

activity and a strong domestic export performance,

both the unemployment rate and the underemployment rate

declined in the third quarter of 1986. The seasonally

(1) adjusted unemployment rate in the third quarter of this year was 2.8%, compared with 3.0% in the previous quarter and The underemployment

year,

3.3% in the third quarter of 1985 (2).

(3)

rate

in the third quarter

of this

at 1.3%, was

/significantly

(1)

The main criteria for a person to be classified as unemployed are:

(a)

(b)

(c)

not having a job and did not perform any work for pay or profit during the reference week;

available for work during the reference week; and seeking work during the 30 days before enumeration.

For details, see the First Quarter Economic Report 1986, p. 25, footnote (1).

(2) The unemployment rate and the number of persons unemployed :

Quarter ending

Number of

persons unemployed*

Unemployment

rate*

(8)

('000)

1985 Mar

3.1

81.1

Jun

2.9

75.1

Sep

3.3

86.9

Dec

3.1

83.3

1986 Mar

3.2

85.0

Jun

3.0

80.6

Sep

2.8

75.0

(3)

(*) seasonally adjusted

The underemployed population consists of those employed persons who involuntarily worked less than 35 hours during the reference week and who were seeking more work, or were not seeking more work but were available for additional work. Working short hours is regarded as involuntary if it is due to economic reasons which include slack work, material shortage, mechanical breakdown and inability to find full-time work. For details, see the First Quarter Economic Report 1986, p.25, footnote (1).

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