Stable stats: The seasonally adjusted jobless rate in the February-April period stood at 4.3%.

The February-April jobless rate remained stable at 4.3%, while the underemployment rate fell from 2.2% to 2.1%, the lowest level in more than nine years, the Census & Statistics Department says.

Falls in the jobless rate were mainly observed in the decoration and maintenance, retail trade and education services sectors, while increases were more apparent in the amusement and recreational services, sanitary services and restaurants sectors.

As to the underemployment rate, falls were mainly seen in the decoration and maintenance, sanitary services and manufacturing sectors.

Total employment rose by 1,300, from 3,459,400 in January-March to 3,460,700. The labour force grew by 5,000 to 3,616,900. February-April saw the number of jobless people rise by 3,800 to 156,300. The number of underemployed people fell by 3,000 to 77,600.

The department said while total employment showed a modest expansion, this was more than offset by a larger increase in the labour force. As a result, the number of unemployed people rose moderately. Nevertheless, the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate remained unchanged at a near nine-year low of 4.3%. The underemployment rate edged down to 2.1%, the lowest in over nine years.

Total employment to grow

While total employment is expected to grow in the near term alongside the sustained pick-up in economic activity, the labour supply will likely be boosted by the entry of a new batch of fresh graduates and school leavers into the labour market.

The unemployment outlook will therefore depend largely on the pace of job creation in the corporate sector for absorbing the newcomers.

In April, the Labour Department netted 42,116 vacancies from the private sector, up 7.5% on the same month last year. On average, the department received more than 2,300 vacancies per working day.

On May 29, the department will hold a job fair at Metro City Plaza II, Tseung Kwan O. More than 2,000 vacancies from various sectors, including retail, catering and property management will be offered. The bulk of these require Form 5 education or less and are open to job-seekers without relevant experience.