ENG-2017 — Page 158

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Employment

Labour Market

In 2017, the labour force totalled 3.95 million people, of whom 51 per cent were men and 49 per cent were women. The total represented a rise of 0.7 per cent over 2016.

The majority, or 88.2 per cent, were employed in the service sectors: 29.8 per cent in the import/ export, wholesale and retail trades, and accommodation (covering hotels, guesthouses, boarding houses and other establishments providing short-term accommodation) and food services; 26.7 per cent in public administration, and social and personal services; 20.5 per cent in financing and insurance, real estate, and professional and business services; and 11.2 per cent in transport, storage, postal and courier services, and information and communications. Only 2.5 per cent worked in manufacturing.

In 2017, the overall unemployment rate dropped from 3.4 per cent in 2016 to 3.1 per cent, while the underemployment rate was 1.2 per cent, lower than the 1.4 per cent in 2016. Total employment rose by about 36,100 to 3,823,200 from 3,787,100 in 2016.

Employment Earnings and Wages

In 2017, 12.2 per cent of employed persons earned less than $5,000 a month and 22.8 per cent earned $30,000 and above a month. Median monthly employment earnings rose by $500 to $15,500 from $15,000 in 2016. The median monthly employment earnings for higher skilled workers, such as managers and administrators, professionals and associate professionals, were $30,000, while those for lower skilled workers were $12,000.

Wage rates as measured by the Nominal Wage Index for workers up to supervisory level increased 3.8 per cent in December 2017 over a year earlier.

International Labour Affairs

Hong Kong applies 41 international labour conventions of the International Labour Organisation (ILO). These conventions set standards on various labour matters that have a significant bearing on the formulation of the city's labour laws.

Hong Kong takes part actively in ILO activities, keeping itself abreast of international labour issues. In June, a team comprising representatives of employers, employees and the government attended the 106th Session of the International Labour Conference as part of the People's Republic of China delegation.

Labour Advisory Board

The Labour Advisory Board, a representative tripartite consultative body, advises the Commissioner for Labour on labour matters including legislation and ILO conventions and recommendations. Chaired by the commissioner, it has 12 members, with six representing employers and six representing employees.

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