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| Jobless rate soaring:The seasonally adjusted unemployment and underemployment rates climbed to 7.8% and 3.2% (provisional) respectively in February - April 2003 |
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The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased from 7.5% in January - March 2003 to 7.8% (provisional) in February - April 2003. The underemployment rate also increased, from 2.9% to 3.2% (provisional) over the same period, mostly reflecting the adverse impact of the SARS outbreak since mid-March.
However, the impact of SARS would continue to be reflected in both the unemployment and underemployment rates in the near term, according to Secretary for Economic Development & Labour Stephen Ip.
He said the situation would get worse because a large number of graduates and summer-job seekers will enter the job market in July.
The jobless problem can only be alleviated when the local community and tourists' confidence in Hong Kong is restored, Mr Ip added.
Comparing February - April 2003 with January - March 2003, the unemployment rate (not seasonally adjusted) rose across many major economic sectors, including the construction, restaurants and hotels, wholesale/retail, manufacturing, business services, real estate and transport sectors.
As to the underemployment rate, increases occurred largely in the transport, restaurants, retail, manufacturing, and decoration and maintenance sectors.
The total labour force rose by around 3,500, from 3,503,500 in January - March 2003 to 3,507,000 (provisional) in February - April 2003. Yet total employment decreased by around 10,700, from 3,243,700 to 3,233,000 (provisional) between the two periods.
The number of unemployed people (not seasonally adjusted) increased by around 14,200, from 259,800 in January - March 2003 to 274,000 (provisional) in February - April 2003. At the same time, the number of underemployed people increased by around 12 300, from 100,700 to 113,000 (provisional).
While decreases in employment were seen in many major economic sectors, including construction, restaurants and hotels, and manufacturing, there were also increased incidents of employees being temporarily suspended from work or asked to take no-pay leave, thereby leading to an increase in underemployment.
On top of the previously announced package, costing $432 million, to create more than 21,000 temporary employment and training opportunities over the next few months, the Government is to provide other employment-related relief measures. They include:
* a $150-million project to hire 3,000 temporary cleansing workers to improve environmental hygiene and clean up blackspots throughout the territory;
* a $102-million programme to recruit 4,500 temporary workers to carry out free household cleaning and minor household repairs for the elderly and vulnerable groups; and
* a $30-million incentive scheme to further promote the service of 4,000 local domestic helpers.
The Government will closely monitor the labour market and study other possible ways to alleviate the unemployment problem, Mr Ip added.
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