The overall Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) caseload in July showed a drop of 484 cases, representing a decrease of 0.2 per cent compared with that of June, according to the latest CSSA caseload statistics released by the Social Welfare Department today (August 17).
      
     The total CSSA caseload at the end of July stood at 203 662 (see attached table), with a total of 282 303 recipients.
      
     Analysed by case nature, low-earnings cases registered a month-to-month decrease of 2.2 per cent to 1 723 cases. Unemployment cases decreased by 0.5 per cent to 17 670 cases. Single parent cases dropped by 0.4 per cent to 21 627 cases. Old age cases declined by 0.2 per cent to 113 933 cases. 

     Both permanent disability cases and ill-health cases registered an increase of 0.1 per cent to 17 267 cases and 27 522 cases respectively.

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (August 17) investigating an imported case of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) infection, and hence reminded the public to maintain good personal, food and environmental hygiene against intestinal infections.

     The case involves a 2-year-old boy with good past health, who presented with vomiting on August 3 and fever, abdominal pain and diarrhoea on the next day. He attended Gleneagles Hong Kong Hospital on August 5 and was admitted on the same day. He was discharged on August 6 after his condition became stable.

     His stool specimen grew STEC upon laboratory testing.

     Initial enquiries by the CHP revealed that the patient had travelled to Malaysia from July 29 to August 3, during which he had consumed yogurt and fresh fruit juice, and had contact with animals. He also swam at beach and swimming pool there. According to the information provided by the family of the patient, he did not consume raw food. Moreover, two of his family members travelling together also developed similar symptoms (including fever and diarrhoea) and had recovered. Other travel collaterals and his other household contacts remained asymptomatic. Investigations are ongoing.

     "Escherichia coli (E. coli) is a bacterium that is commonly found in the gut of humans and warm-blooded animals. Most strains of E. coli are harmless. Some strains, however, such as STEC, can produce powerful toxins and cause severe food-borne disease. The most recognised serogroup of STEC is E. coli O157:H7," a spokesman for the CHP explained.

     Preventive measures for STEC infection are similar to those recommended for other food-borne diseases. The public are advised to observe good personal and food hygiene:
 

• Adopt the Five Keys to Food Safety in handling food, i.e. Choose (choose safe raw materials), Clean (keep hands and utensils clean), Separate (separate raw and cooked food), Cook (cook thoroughly) and Safe Temperature (keep food at a safe temperature) to prevent food-borne diseases;
• Wash hands properly with liquid soap and water before handling food, after handling raw meat or poultry and before eating, and after going to the toilet or changing diapers;
• Cook food and boil water thoroughly before consumption. When cooking or reheating, the core temperature of the food should reach at least 75 degrees Celsius;
• Avoid consumption of unpasteurised milk or undercooked food; and
• Consult your doctor immediately if you have symptoms of STEC infection, particularly bloody diarrhoea.

     â€‹â€‹The public may visit the CHP's STEC page for more information.

     According to the latest labour force statistics (i.e. provisional figures for May – July 2023) released today (August 17) by the Census and Statistics Department (C&SD), the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased from 2.9% in April – June 2023 to 2.8% in May – July 2023. The underemployment rate remained unchanged at 1.1% in the two periods.
 
     Comparing May – July 2023 with April – June 2023, the unemployment rate (not seasonally adjusted) decreased across most major economic sectors, with more distinct decreases observed in the food and beverage service activities sector, transportation sector, information and communications sector and real estate sector.  

     Total employment increased by around 19 200 from 3 688 800 in April – June 2023 to 3 708 000 in May – July 2023. Over the same period, the labour force also increased by around 17 300 from 3 802 400 to 3 819 700.

     The number of unemployed persons (not seasonally adjusted) decreased by around 1 900 from 113 600 in April – June 2023 to 111 700 in May – July 2023. Over the same period, the number of underemployed persons also decreased by around 1 000 from 41 500 to 40 500.

Commentary

     Commenting on the latest unemployment figures, the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Chris Sun, said, "The labour market continued to improve. The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate edged down by 0.1 percentage point from April – June 2023 to 2.8% in May – July 2023. The underemployment rate remained unchanged at 1.1%. Both the labour force and total employment increased further, by 17 300 and 19 200 to 3 819 700 and 3 708 000 respectively. The number of unemployed persons decreased by 1 900 to 111 700."

     Analysed by sector, the combined unemployment rate of the consumption- and tourism-related sectors (viz. retail, accommodation and food services sectors) declined by 0.3 percentage point from April – June 2023 to 3.7% in May – July 2023. Among these sectors, the unemployment rates of the retail sector and the accommodation services sector both declined by 0.2 percentage point to 3.3% and 2.8% respectively, and that of the food and beverage service activities sector fell by 0.5 percentage point to 4.3%. Most other sectors also saw declines in unemployment rates, notably the transportation sector, the information and communications sector, and the real estate sector.

     Looking ahead, Mr Sun said, "With the economic recovery, the labour market should improve further in the coming months."

     On large-scale job fairs, the Labour Department (LD) will organise the "Building a Multicultural Workplace Job Fair" at the MacPherson Stadium in Mong Kok on August 22 and 23, 2023. Over 45 employers will participate, offering a large number of vacancies. In May – July 2023, LD recorded a monthly average of 103 859 vacancies from the private sector, representing a year-on-year increase of 3.1% and an increase of 2.5% over the average figure in April – June 2023. Job-seekers may make use of the LD's online platforms, such as the Interactive Employment Service website, for obtaining such vacancy information.

Further information

     The unemployment and underemployment statistics were compiled from the findings of the continuous General Household Survey.

     In the survey, the definitions used in measuring unemployment and underemployment follow closely those recommended by the International Labour Organization. The employed population covers all employers, self-employed persons, employees (including full-time, part-time, casual workers, etc.) and unpaid family workers. Unemployed persons by industry (or occupation) are classified according to their previous industry (or occupation).

     The survey for May – July 2023 covered a sample of some 25 000 households or 69 000 persons, selected in accordance with a scientifically designed sampling scheme to represent the population of Hong Kong. Labour force statistics compiled from this sample represented the situation in the moving three-month period of May to July 2023.

     Data on labour force characteristics were obtained from the survey by interviewing each member aged 15 or over in the sampled households.

     Statistical tables on the latest labour force statistics can be downloaded at the website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/scode200.html). More detailed analysis of the labour force characteristics is given in the "Quarterly Report on General Household Survey" which is published four times a year. The latest issue of the report contains statistics for the quarter January – March 2023 while the next issue covering the quarter April – June 2023 will be available by end August 2023. Users can also browse and download this publication at the website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/EIndexbySubject.html?pcode=B1050001&scode=200).

     For enquiries about labour force statistics, please contact the General Household Survey Section (3) of the C&SD (Tel: 2887 5508 or email: ghs@censtatd.gov.hk). 

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:

     The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) announced today (August 17) the composite interest rate at the end of July 2023 (Note 1).
      
     The composite interest rate, which is a measure of the average cost of funds of banks, increased by 11 basis points to 2.46% at the end of July 2023, from 2.35 per cent at the end of June 2023 (see Chart 1 in the Annex). The increase in composite interest rate mainly reflected an increase in the weighted funding cost for deposits during the month (see Chart 2 in the Annex) (Note 2).
      
     The historical data of the composite interest rate from the end of the fourth quarter of 2003 to the end of July 2023 are available in the Monthly Statistical Bulletin on the HKMA website (www.hkma.gov.hk).

Note 1: The composite interest rate is a weighted average interest rate of all Hong Kong dollar interest-rate-sensitive liabilities, which include deposits from customers, amounts due to banks, negotiable certificates of deposit and other debt instruments, and all other liabilities that do not involve any formal payment of interest but the values of which are sensitive to interest rate movements (such as Hong Kong dollar non-interest bearing demand deposits) on the books of banks. Data from retail banks, which account for about 90 per cent of the total customers' deposits in the banking sector, are used in the calculation. It should be noted that the composite interest rate represents only average interest expenses. There are various other costs involved in the making of a loan, such as operating costs (e.g. staff and rental expenses), credit cost and hedging cost, which are not covered by the composite interest rate.

Note 2: Since June 2019, the composite interest rate and weighted deposit rate have been calculated based on the new local "Interest rate risk in the banking book" (IRRBB) framework. As such, these figures are not strictly comparable with those of previous months.

     Hong Kong Customs conducted an anti-narcotics operation codenamed "Sniper" between June 12 and August 11 to combat drug trafficking through consolidated consignment. 

     With the upward trend of drugs being smuggled through consolidated consignment, Customs, through risk assessment, conducted strikes and searches at local consolidator companies and examined suspicious parcels. In the operation, Customs detected 23 cases of drug trafficking and about 68 kilograms of suspected dangerous drugs were seized, including about 35kg of suspected cannabis-type dangerous drugs, about 22kg of suspected ketamine and about 11kg of suspected methamphetamine. The total estimated market value of the seizures was about $24 million. Two men suspected to be connected with the cases were arrested.

     In one of the cases, Customs officers arrested a 17-year-old youth in Ho Man Tin while he collected two parcels containing a batch of snacks, in which about 7kg of suspected cannabis buds were concealed inside. In another case, Customs officers arrested a 64-year-old man in Tai Po while he collected a parcel containing a batch of gift boxes, in which about 5kg of suspected ketamine was concealed inside the false compartment of the boxes.

     Investigations of the cases are ongoing and the likelihood of further arrests is not ruled out. The two arrestees were released on bail pending further investigation.

     The parcels seized during this operation were mainly originated from Europe and America and delivered to Hong Kong through consolidated consignment. Drug syndicates made use of daily products including air purifiers, pet climbing frames, shampoo bottles, interlinings of packing materials and industrial tools to conceal the drugs or mix them into the clothing items and snacks in order to evade customs inspection and increase the difficulty of customs detection.

     Customs will continue to step up enforcement against drug trafficking activities through intelligence analysis. The department also reminds members of the public to stay alert and not to participate in drug trafficking activities for monetary return. They must not accept hiring or delegation from another party to carry controlled items into and out of Hong Kong. They are also reminded not to carry unknown items for other people, nor to release their personal data or home address to others for receiving parcels or goods.

     Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and life imprisonment.

     Young people should especially pay attention to the fact that drug trafficking is a serious criminal offence. Criminal conviction will result in grave repercussions for their future and they should not take risks in the hope that they may not be caught.

     Members of the public may report any suspected drug trafficking activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002/).