Police are aware of injuries inside Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) which has been struck by recurrent violence. Police attach great importance to the situation and have arranged for ambulances to convey injured p… read more
According to the latest labour force statistics (i.e. provisional figures for August – October 2019) released today (November 18) by the Census and Statistics Department (C&SD), the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased from 2.9% in July – September 2019 to 3.1% in August – October 2019. The underemployment rate also increased from 1.0% in July – September 2019 to 1.2% in August – October 2019.
Comparing August – October 2019 with July – September 2019, increases in the unemployment rate (not seasonally adjusted) and underemployment rate were mainly seen in the construction sector.
Total employment decreased by around 11 600 from 3 855 400 in July – September 2019 to 3 843 800 in August – October 2019. Over the same period, the labour force also decreased by around 6 400 from 3 975 700 to 3 969 300.
The number of unemployed persons (not seasonally adjusted) increased by around 5 100 from 120 300 in July – September 2019 to 125 400 in August – October 2019. The number of underemployed persons also increased by around 4 400 from 41 500 to 45 900.
Commentary
Commenting on the latest unemployment figures, the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Dr Law Chi-kwong said, “The labour market eased further as economic conditions continued to worsen. Both the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate and the underemployment rate went up by 0.2 percentage point in August – October 2019, to 3.1% and 1.2% respectively. The year-on-year decline in total employment enlarged.
“The unemployment rates in most sectors increased compared with the preceding three-month period. The unemployment rate of the consumption- and tourism-related segment (viz. retail, accommodation and food services sectors as a whole) rose further to 5.0%, the highest since the beginning of 2017. Within this segment, the unemployment rate for those working in food and beverage service activities went up to 6.1%, the highest in more than six years. The unemployment rate of the construction sector, particularly of those involved in decoration, repair and maintenance for buildings, deteriorated visibly.”
Looking ahead, Dr Law said, “The unemployment rate will be under increasing upward pressure as local social incidents involving intensifying violence continue to take a heavy toll on the economy. The Government will monitor the developments closely.”
He noted that the Labour Department (LD) canvasses vacancies for job-seekers with different educational background and working experience from employers in various industries; and organises large-scale job fairs in different locations as well as industry-based and district-based job fairs at its recruitment centres and job centres respectively to expedite the dissemination of employment information and help different job-seekers to secure employment.
On large-scale job fairs, the LD will organise the North District Recruitment and Training Expo 2020 on January 3, 2020 at Po Wing Road Sports Centre in Sheung Shui. Over 60 employers would participate, offering a large number of job vacancies from various industries. In addition, industry-based or district-based job fairs are regularly organised at the LD’s industry-based recruitment centres and job centres located across the territory.
Further information
The unemployment and underemployment statistics were compiled from the findings of the continuous General Household Survey.
The survey for August – October 2019 covered a sample of some 26 000 households or 74 000 persons, selected in accordance with a scientifically designed sampling scheme to represent the population of Hong Kong.
Data on labour force characteristics were obtained from the survey by interviewing each member aged 15 or over in the sampled households.
In the survey, the definitions used in measuring unemployment and underemployment follow closely those recommended by the International Labour Organization.
Detailed analysis of 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 April – June 2019 while the next issue covering the quarter July – September 2019 will be available by end November 2019. Users can download this publication free of charge at the website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/hkstat/sub/sp200.jsp?productCode=B1050001).
For enquiries about labour force statistics, please contact the Household Statistics Analysis Section of the C&SD (Tel: 2887 5508 or email: ghs@censtatd.gov.hk). read more
The Department of Health has announced today (November 18) that owing to the situation in Yau Ma Tei, its evening dental services at Yau Ma Tei Dental Clinic will be suspended today. Those with appointments will be given a new … read more
The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) has recorded a gradual increase in pollution levels since this morning. According to the EPD forecast, it is expected that the AQHI at some general and roadside air monitoring stations may reach the “Serious” level later today (November 18).
The weather in Hong Kong today is mainly fine and dry, but hazy, with moderate northerly winds. Higher than normal levels of particulates have been recorded in the territory since this morning. Hong Kong is under the influence of a high background pollution airstream. The sunshine enhances photochemical smog activity and the rapid formation of ozone and fine particulates in the Pearl River Delta region. The high level of ozone has also promoted the formation of nitrogen dioxide.
According to the Hong Kong Observatory, a cold front over inland Guangdong is moving southwards gradually. It is expected to move across the coastal areas tonight and the winds will strengthen. It is expected that pollution levels will improve by then.
With a health risk category in the “Very High” range or above, children, the elderly and persons with existing heart or respiratory illnesses are advised to reduce physical exertion and outdoor activities to a minimum or avoid such activities. The general public are advised to reduce, or reduce to a minimum, outdoor physical exertion, and to reduce time staying outdoors, especially in areas with heavy traffic. As health effects of air pollutants may vary for individuals, persons who are in doubt or experience discomfort should seek advice from health-care professionals. The public may visit the Centre for Health Protection’s website (www.chp.gov.hk/en/content/9/460/3557.html) for more information on health effects of air pollution and relevant health advice.
The Education Bureau (EDB) urges all schools to visit the EDB’s website for appropriate measures to safeguard students’ health and take note of changes in the index. The relevant hyperlink is as follows:
www.edb.gov.hk/en/sch-admin/admin/about-activities/sch-activities-guidelines/index.html.
When the AQHI is at the “Very High” level, employers of outdoor workers performing heavy manual work are advised to assess the risk of outdoor work and take appropriate preventive measures to protect the health of their employees such as reducing outdoor physical exertion and the time of their stay outdoors, especially in areas with heavy traffic. At the “Serious” level, employers of all outdoor workers are advised to assess the risk of outdoor work and take appropriate preventive measures to protect the health of their employees.
Members of the public can check the current AQHI readings at the EPD’s website (www.aqhi.gov.hk/en.html) or by calling the hotline 2827 8541. read more
The 2019 District Council Ordinary Election will be held on November 24 (Sunday). The Registration and Electoral Office (REO) has mailed poll cards to about 4.13 million registered electors to inform them of where they should cast their votes on the polling day.
“Some of the polling stations used in previous elections were not available due to various reasons, so the REO therefore needed to identify other venues for polling stations. As such, some electors need to vote in polling stations different from those in previous elections. Electors are reminded to open and read carefully the mail from the REO, and to go to the designated polling station. Electors can only cast their votes at the polling station as specified on their poll card,” a spokesman for the REO said today (November 18).
“Electors can log in to the Online Voter Information Enquiry System (www.voterinfo.gov.hk) if they have not yet received their poll card to check the name and address of the designated polling station, its location on the map and other polling information such as the polling date and polling hours. They can also call the election hotline (2891 1001) for enquiries,” he said.
In addition to the poll card, the electoral mail sent by the REO to each elector also includes a map indicating the location of the designated polling station, a voting procedure guide, an introductory leaflet on the candidates of the constituency, and an ICAC publicity leaflet on clean elections.
“Electors must carry the original of their Hong Kong identity card or other specified alternative documents to the designated polling station to collect their ballot papers to cast their votes,” the spokesman said.
Over 610 ordinary polling stations and 23 dedicated polling stations will be open on the polling day. The polling hours for the ordinary polling stations and the three dedicated polling stations set up at police stations will be from 7.30am to 10.30pm. For the 20 dedicated polling stations set up at penal institutions, for security reasons, the polling hours will be from 9am to 4pm.
Once the poll closes, most ordinary polling stations will be converted into counting stations for counting of votes. The counting stations will be open to the public once the conversion has been completed. Members of the public will be able to watch the counting process at designated areas inside the counting stations.
Measures have been taken by the REO to enable electors with special needs to exercise their right to vote. “In the election, about 95 per cent of the polling stations are accessible to electors with mobility difficulty or those who use wheelchairs. Where possible, the REO will install temporary ramps at polling stations to assist them,” the spokesman said.
The location map enclosed with the poll card specifies clearly whether the designated polling station is accessible to electors who are wheelchair users or have mobility difficulty.
“Electors with mobility difficulty or those who use wheelchairs may apply to the REO by tomorrow (November 19) (i.e. at least five days before the polling day) through the election hotline (2891 1001), fax (2891 1180) or email (reoenq@reo.gov.hk) for re-allocation to another polling station in case they have been allocated to a polling station inaccessible to them. If possible, the REO will also arrange for rehab buses to take them to and from polling stations upon request,” he added.
On the other hand, the Electoral Affairs Commission encourages candidates to provide a text version of their introduction to enable electors with visual impairment to understand the content using software aids. The text versions provided by candidates have been uploaded to the election website (www.elections.gov.hk). Electors with visual impairment may also listen to the candidates’ introductions by calling the dedicated 24-hour Interactive Voice Response System (2893 3762). Braille templates will be provided at polling stations to assist electors with visual impairment to vote.
To help electors who are not familiar with Chinese and English cast their votes, guides on the voting procedure in nine other languages (Bahasa Indonesia, Tagalog, Thai, Hindi, Nepali, Urdu, Punjabi, Japanese and Korean) will be available at every polling station. Information on the election in these languages has also been uploaded to the election website.
The REO has also made arrangements with the Centre for Harmony and Enhancement of Ethnic Minority Residents run by the Hong Kong Christian Service to provide a telephone simultaneous interpretation service with seven languages (Bahasa Indonesia, Tagalog, Thai, Hindi, Nepali, Urdu, Punjabi) on election matters from November 11 to 15 and from November 18 to the polling day.
A pictorial guide showing the voting procedure will also be provided at polling stations to help electors with hearing or communication problems and electors who are not familiar with Chinese and English to understand the voting procedure. The pictorial guide showing the voting procedure has been uploaded to the election website (www.elections.gov.hk).
Information about the election is available on the election website (www.elections.gov.hk). For enquiries, please call the election hotline (2891 1001). read more