The Transport Department (TD) today (July 19) reminded the public that to facilitate the extension of opening hours of the Hong Kong Book Fair 2022 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) this Friday and Saturday (July 22 and 23), the following eight special cross-harbour bus services will be provided in the vicinity of the HKCEC on the two days:
 

    
     For details on the special transport arrangements, members of the public can browse the TD's website (www.td.gov.hk), mobile application "HKeMobility" or the bus companies' websites (www.bravobus.com.hk and www.kmb.hk) and their respective mobile applications.

     The overall Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) caseload in June showed a drop of 1 270 cases, representing a decrease of 0.6 per cent compared with that of May, according to the latest CSSA caseload statistics released by the Social Welfare Department today (July 19).
      
     The total CSSA caseload at the end of June stood at 212 272 (see attached table), with a total of 298 697 recipients.
      
     Analysed by case nature, low-earnings cases registered a month-to-month decrease of 2.2 per cent to 2 055 cases. Old age cases dropped by 0.9 per cent to 119 655 cases. Single parent cases slightly decreased by 0.1 per cent to 23 480 cases.
      
     Unemployment cases decreased by 0.3 per cent on a month-to-month basis to 18 726 cases. The figure represented an increase of about 48.7 per cent in comparison with that of January 2020 when Hong Kong just started to fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. The average number of applications for unemployment cases in April to June 2022 was 496 per month, representing a decrease of 10.1 per cent from that in March to May 2022.
      
     Ill-health cases increased by 0.2 per cent to 26 958 cases. Permanent disability cases remained steady at 17 408 cases.

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

     The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA), together with the Banking Sector SME Lending Coordination Mechanism (Mechanism), today (July 19) announced a further 90-day repayment deferment for trade facilities under the Pre-approved Principal Payment Holiday Scheme (Scheme).
      
     Since early this year, the heightened geopolitical tension has exacerbated pressure on the global supply chain. As inflation continues to rise around the globe, major central banks have tightened monetary policies and raised interest rates, adding to the financial burden on corporates. Meanwhile, the local economy has only started to stabilise in the wake of the fifth wave of COVID-19 infections. Significant uncertainty lies ahead for import and export businesses. The Mechanism has therefore decided to extend the repayment period of trade facilities under the Scheme for a further 90-day period until the end of October this year, when the whole Scheme will expire. The HKMA and the Mechanism will then conduct a holistic review and decide on the way forward for the whole Scheme.
      
     Corporate customers participating in the repayment deferment for trade facilities under the Scheme can extend trade facilities falling due between August and October this year for a further 90 days. Eligible corporate customers can also apply for a 90-day extension of trade facilities drawn down from May 2022 to the end of July 2022. For facilities which are self-liquidating in nature, banks may require the loan to be settled when the customer has received the underlying payment. For trade loans which have been successively extended for 270 days or more since first being drawn down, banks may adopt a flexible approach and consider whether other forms of relief are more suitable to help the customers ride out the current difficulties on a case-by-case basis, subject to prudent risk management principles.
      
     The Mechanism encourages customers that are financially capable and willing to resume some principal repayment in exchange for greater certainty to their future repayment schedule to take up the partial principal repayment option pursuant to the HKMA’s guidance of February 23, 2022. For trade facilities, banks may discuss with customers having regard to their actual circumstances and allow them to repay the amount due by regular instalments over a period of two years.
      
     If corporate customers have enquiries about the Scheme, please contact the HKMA via the dedicated email account (ppphs@hkma.gov.hk) or enquiry hotline (2878 1199).
 
Background
 
     The Banking Sector SME Lending Coordination Mechanism was established by the HKMA in October 2019. Participants include 11 banks that are most active in SME lending. The Hong Kong Association of Banks and the HKMC Insurance Limited are also represented in the Mechanism. Since its establishment, the Mechanism has rolled out several rounds of relief measures for corporate customers, including the Scheme, loan tenor extensions, and the conversion of trade financing lines into temporary overdraft facilities. At the end of June 2022, banks had granted over 95 000 applications for loan tenor extension and other forms of relief, involving an aggregate amount of HK$1 trillion.
      
     The Scheme covers all corporate customers that have an annual sales turnover below HK$800 million and that have no seriously overdue loan payments. The Scheme took effect in May 2020 with around 100 participating banks and covers around 120 000 eligible corporate customers. The Scheme has been extended in November 2020, May 2021, November 2021 and May 2022, for six months each time, to the end of October 2022. From May to October 2020, 19 000 eligible corporate customers participated in the Scheme (participation rate of 16%). Between November 2021 and April 2022, the number of participating corporate customers dropped to 2 600 (participation rate of 2.3%).

     The Home Affairs Department will open 18 temporary night heat shelters tonight (July 19) for people in need of the service.
 
     The shelters will be open from 10.30pm until 8am tomorrow.
 
     In light of the implementation of mandatory use of the "LeaveHomeSafe" mobile application when entering government premises, all persons are required to use the app to scan the venue QR code before they are allowed to enter temporary night heat shelters, except for exempted persons (including persons who are aged below 12 or aged 65 or above, persons with disabilities that render use of the app difficult and persons without smartphones). All exempted persons are required to complete a prescribed form to register their personal particulars, contact phone number and the date and time of entry. The staff will verify the information provided.
 
     For further information, please call the department's hotline before midnight on 2572 8427.
 
     The night heat shelters are located at:
 
Hong Kong Districts:
———————
 
Central and Western –
Sai Ying Pun Community Complex Community Hall
3/F, Sai Ying Pun Community Complex
2 High Street, Sai Ying Pun
 
Eastern –
Causeway Bay Community Centre
3/F, 7 Fook Yum Road, Causeway Bay
 
Southern –
Wah Kwai Community Centre
Wah Kwai Estate, Kellett Bay
 
Wan Chai –
Wan Chai Activities Centre
LG/F, Wan Chai Market, 258 Queen's Road East, Wan Chai
 
Kowloon Districts:
——————
 
Kowloon City –
Hung Hom Community Hall
1/F, Kowloon City Government Offices
42 Bailey Street, Hung Hom
 
Kwun Tong –
Lam Tin (West) Estate Community Centre
71 Kai Tin Road, Lam Tin
 
Sham Shui Po –
Shek Kip Mei Community Hall
G/F, Block 42, Shek Kip Mei Estate, Sham Shui Po
 
Wong Tai Sin –
Tsz Wan Shan (South) Estate Community Centre
45 Wan Wah Street, Tsz Wan Shan
 
Yau Tsim Mong –
Henry G Leong Yaumatei Community Centre
60 Public Square Street, Yau Ma Tei
 
New Territories Districts:
————————–
 
Islands –
Tung Chung Community Hall
G/F, Tung Chung Municipal Services Building, 39 Man Tung Road, Tung Chung
 
Kwai Tsing –
Kwai Shing Community Hall
Podium, Block 6, Kwai Shing West Estate, Kwai Chung
 
North –
Cheung Wah Community Hall
Cheung Wah Estate, Fanling
 
Sai Kung –
Chi Shin Activity Centre
G/F, Tseung Kwan O South Ancillary Facilities Block, 5 Chi Shin Street, Tseung Kwan O
 
Sha Tin –
Lung Hang Estate Community Centre
Lung Hang Estate, Sha Tin
 
Tai Po –
Tai Po Community Centre
2 Heung Sze Wui Street, Tai Po
 
Tsuen Wan –
Lei Muk Shue Community Hall
G/F, Hong Shue House, Lei Muk Shue Estate, Tsuen Wan
 
Tuen Mun –
Wu Shan Road Community Hall
101 Wu Shan Road, Tuen Mun
 
Yuen Long –
Long Ping Community Hall
Long Ping Estate, Yuen Long
 
     The temporary night heat shelters will resume their functions as community centres or community halls in the daytime for hire by the local community.
 
     People may choose to take refuge from the heat during the daytime in the common areas of the designated community centres and community halls. For the addresses of these designated community centres and community halls, please browse the following document: www.had.gov.hk/file_manager/en/documents/public_services/emergency_services/List_CH_CC_Day_E.pdf.

     According to the latest labour force statistics (i.e. provisional figures for April – June 2022) released today (July 19) by the Census and Statistics Department (C&SD), the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased from 5.1% in March – May 2022 to 4.7% in April – June 2022. The underemployment rate also decreased from 3.5% in March – May 2022 to 3.0% in April – June 2022.
      
     Comparing April – June 2022 with March – May 2022, both the unemployment rate (not seasonally adjusted) and underemployment rate decreased across almost all major economic sectors, with more distinct decreases observed in the construction sector; retail, accommodation and food services sector; and arts, entertainment and recreation sector.  
      
     Total employment increased by around 17 800 from 3 553 800 in March – May 2022 to 3 571 600 in April – June 2022. Over the same period, the labour force also increased by around 5 000 from 3 745 200 to 3 750 200.
      
     The number of unemployed persons (not seasonally adjusted) decreased by around 12 800 from 191 400 in March – May 2022 to 178 600 in April – June 2022. Over the same period, the number of underemployed persons also decreased by around 18 800 from 130 400 to 111 600.
                 
Commentary
      
     Commenting on the latest unemployment figures, the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Chris Sun said, "The labour market improved in April – June 2022 amid the moderating local epidemic situation in general and the gradual relaxation of social distancing measures. The Consumption Voucher Scheme and the 2022 Employment Support Scheme have also helped. The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate fell by 0.4 percentage point from 5.1% in March – May 2022 to 4.7% in April – June 2022. The underemployment rate also declined by 0.5 percentage point to 3.0%. Total employment turned to an increase of 17 800 to 3 571 600. The number of unemployed persons fell further by 12 800 to 178 600."
      
     Analysed by sector, the unemployment rate of the consumption- and tourism-related sectors (viz. retail, accommodation and food services sectors) combined fell visibly by 1.4 percentage points from the preceding three-month period to 7.4% in April – June 2022. Among these sectors, the unemployment rate for food and beverage service activities fell sharply by 2.4 percentage points to 8.6%, and that of the retail sector declined by 0.8 percentage point to 6.6%. The unemployment rates of many other sectors also declined, more notably the construction sector; and the arts, entertainment and recreation sector.
      
     Looking ahead, Mr Sun said, "As domestic economic activities continue to revive, the labour market is likely to improve further in the near term, but the extent of improvement would depend on the local epidemic situation as well as the global and local financial conditions. The various measures rolled out by the Government would continue to provide support for the recovery of the local economy. I call upon the community to continue to work together with the Government to keep the epidemic under control."
      
     On large-scale job fairs, the Labour Department (LD) will organise the Creating New Opportunities Job Fair at the Southorn Stadium on August 4 and 5, 2022. Over 40 employers will participate, offering lots of vacancies from various industries. In April – June 2022, LD recorded a monthly average of 90 621 vacancies from the private sector, representing a year-on-year increase of 10.0%, and an increase of 19.8% over the average figure in March – May 2022. 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 April – June 2022 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 April to June 2022.
      
     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/EIndexbySubject.html?pcode=D5250021&scode=200). 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 publication contains statistics for the quarter January – March 2022 while the next issue covering the quarter April – June 2022 will be available by end August 2022. Users can also 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).