HK's jobless rate remains at 3.3 pct in Dec. 2014-Feb. 2015

The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate of Hong Kong stood at 3.3 percent in December 2014 - February 2015, same as that in November 2014 - January 2015, the Census and Statistics Department announced Tuesday.

The department said, total employment in December 2014 - February 2015 increased by around 5,700 from 3,801,800 in November 2014 - January 2015 to 3,807,500 in December 2014 - February 2015. Over the same period, the labor force also increased by around 7, 100 from 3,922,200 to 3,929,300.

The number of unemployed persons (not seasonally adjusted) increased by around 1,300 from 120,500 in November 2014 - January 2015 to 121,800 in December 2014 - February 2015. Over the same period, the number of underemployed persons decreased by around 4, 900 from 62,200 in November 2014 - January 2015 to 57,300 in December 2014 - February 2015.

Commenting on the latest unemployment figures, Hong Kong's Secretary for Labor and Welfare Matthew Cheung Kin-chung said, " The labor market held broadly stable in December 2014 - February 2015, with the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate staying at the low level of 3.3 percent for the eighth consecutive period. Both total employment and labor force grew further over a year earlier."

On the short-term outlook, Cheung said that as it is customary for employers to conduct their annual review of staffing position after the Lunar New Year, the near-term employment outlook will continue to hinge on the overall economic situation and business sentiment, in particular the performance of the consumption and tourism-related sectors down the road. Endi