HONG KONG, Dec. 18 (Xinhua) -- Hong Kong's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in September-November 2019 rose to 3.2 percent, as sharp increase was mainly seen in consumption and tourism sectors due to the prolonged social unrest, according to the latest labor force statistics released on Tuesday.
"Hard hit by local social incidents, the unemployment rate of the consumption-and tourism-related segment rose further to a three-year high of 5.2 percent. In particular, the unemployment rate of the food and beverage service activities sector increased to 6.2 percent, the highest level in more than eight years," said Law Chi-kwong, the secretary for labour and welfare of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government.
Total employment decreased by around 13,200 from 3,843,800 in the period from August to October to 3,830,600 in the period from September to November 2019. Movements in the unemployment rate in different industry sectors varied, according to statistics released by the Census and Statistics Department of HKSAR government.
"The labour market eased further as economic conditions continued to worsen. ... The year-on-year decline in total employment widened further," said Law.
"The labour market will be under even more pressure in the near term if the overall economy continues to weaken. The government will monitor the developments closely," he said.
Efforts will be taken to help improve the job market. According to Law, the Labour Department (LD) would assist young people in entering the labour market through enhancing the Youth Employment and Training Programme.
The enhancement measures include increasing the quota under "Career Kick-start" and the subsidy payable to participating non-governmental organizations, collaborating with employers in organizing thematic job fairs, among others.
Latest comments