Steady work: The seasonally adjusted jobless rate stood at 3.4% in the November-January period, unchanged from October-December.

The seasonally adjusted jobless rate stood at 3.4% in the November-January period, unchanged from October-December, the Census & Statistics Department says. The underemployment rate also held stable at 2.1% for both periods.

Total employment grew from 3,533,300 to an all-time high of 3,551,600 while the labour force rose from 3,651,100 to 3,665,000.

The number of jobless fell from 117,800 to 113,400 while the number of underemployed stayed at 75,500.

Drops in the unemployment rate were mainly seen in the welfare and community services, wholesale and retail trades, and decoration and maintenance sectors, while increases were more apparent in the manufacturing and restaurants sectors.

Falls in the underemployment rate were mainly observed in the communications, construction and transport sectors, offsetting the rise in the amusement and recreational services, and miscellaneous personal services sectors.

Outlook

The near-term outlook will hinge on the growth in total employment relative to that in the labour supply in the corporate sector, the department said. Labour turnover may also increase after the pay-out of year-end bonuses.

In January the Labour Department saw 48,142 vacancies from the private sector, up 27.1% on the same period last year. On average it received 2,200 vacancies per working day.

Secretary for Labour & Welfare Matthew Cheung said: "Despite continued improvement in the employment scene the Government would keep up its efforts to assist those who have difficulty in entering the labour market, particularly those from remote districts such as Tin Shui Wai."