According to the latest labour force statistics (i.e. provisional figures for September – November 2024) released today (December 17) by the Census and Statistics Department (C&SD), the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate stood at 3.1% in September – November 2024, same as that in August – October 2024. The underemployment rate also remained unchanged at 1.1% in the two periods.
 
     Comparing September – November 2024 with August – October 2024, movements in the unemployment rate (not seasonally adjusted) and underemployment rate in different industry sectors varied, but the magnitudes were generally not large.
 
     Total employment increased by around 4 700 from 3 707 100 in August – October 2024 to 3 711 800 in September – November 2024. Over the same period, the labour force also increased by around 3 600 from 3 827 900 to 3 831 500.
 
     The number of unemployed persons (not seasonally adjusted) decreased by around 1 000 from 120 700 in August – October 2024 to 119 700 in September – November 2024. Over the same period, the number of underemployed persons also decreased by around 600 from 42 300 to 41 700.
 
Commentary
 
     Commenting on the latest unemployment figures, the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Chris Sun, said, "The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate stayed low at 3.1% in September – November 2024, same as August – October 2024. The underemployment rate also remained unchanged at 1.1%. The labour force and total employment bounced back by 3 600 and 4 700 to 3 831 500 and 3 711 800 respectively. The number of unemployed persons decreased by 1 000 to 119 700."
 
     The unemployment rates of various sectors showed diverse movements in September – November 2024 compared with the preceding three-month period. More notable increases in the unemployment rates were seen in the decoration, repair and maintenance for buildings sector; the insurance sector; and the postal and courier activities sector. More visible declines in the unemployment rates were observed in the warehousing and support activities for transportation sector and the arts, entertainment and recreation sector.
 
     Looking ahead, Mr Sun said, "The labour market should remain largely stable in the near term, though the situation in some sectors might be more affected by increased uncertainties in the global economy and escalation in trade tension."
 
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 September – November 2024 covered a sample of some 26 000 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 September to November 2024.
 
     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 July – September 2024 while the next issue covering the quarter October – December 2024 will be available by end February 2025. 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 Water Supplies Department (WSD) announced that a landlord of a subdivided flat in Kwun Tong, Kowloon, was convicted today (December 17) of overcharging its subdivided unit (SDU) tenants for water, in contravention of regulation 47 of the Waterworks Regulations. The owner pleaded guilty to 14 counts of offences at the Kwun Tong Magistrates' Courts.

     This is the 24th similar conviction since the first conviction in June 2022, with associated fines ranging from $1,000 to $22,000.

     A spokesman for the WSD said that the Waterworks (Amendment) Ordinance 2024 (the amended WWO) has strengthened the power of the Water Authority in evidence collection and information disclosure during the investigation of suspected cases of overcharging for water. The Water Authority can request the landlords, their agents, etc, to provide the tenancy agreement, receipt or payment record for charges for water. Failure to comply with such a request can be an offence and the offender is liable on conviction to a maximum fine of $10,000 and a further fine of up to $1,000 for each day the offence continues. It is anticipated that there will be more prosecution cases. The maximum penalty for overcharging SDU tenants for water has been raised to $25,000 to deter this illegal act. Moreover, providing false or misleading information to the Water Authority is also an offence with a maximum penalty of a $25,000 fine and six months' imprisonment.  

     The WSD spokesman strongly appealed to landlords to apply for the installation of separate water meters for their SDUs, which can greatly reduce the risk of contravening the amended WWO. The water fee deposit and the charge for providing a meter for each separate water meter installed under the Scheme for Installation of Separate Water Meters for Subdivided Units will be waived. Individual water bills will be provided for each water meter account. The first 12 cubic metres of water are free at four-month intervals. SDU tenants can contact the WSD to request separate water meters. Upon receiving such requests, the WSD will contact the landlords for the installation of separate meters. If the landlords refuse, the WSD may require them to provide information on the recovery of water charges from their tenants in suspected overcharging cases. Details of the scheme can be obtained from the WSD website (www.wsd.gov.hk/en/customer-services/application-for-water-supply/pilot-scheme-for-installation-of-separate-water-me/index.html).

     The WSD encourages the public to report any illegal act of overcharging SDU tenants for water for follow-up and investigation by the department. The public can call the WSD Hotline 3468 4963 or WhatsApp 5665 5517 to apply for the installation of separate water meters for SDUs. The WhatsApp hotline also handles matters relating to water overcharging in SDUs. Alternatively, the public can call the WSD Customer Enquiry Hotline 2824 5000 to report water overcharge cases. After calling the hotline and choosing a language, they can press "7" for reporting to staff directly.

     A man who went missing in Mong Kok has been located.

     Leung Kam-sun, aged 65, went missing after he was last seen in a hostel on Ka Shin Street on December 6 afternoon. His social worker made a report to Police on December 13.

     The man was located on Waterloo Road in Yau Ma Tei this morning. He sustained no injuries and no suspicious circumstances were detected.

     The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Tuesday, December 17, 2024 is 107.1 (up 0.2 against yesterday's index).

     The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, will lead a Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government delegation to Macao on December 19 and 20 to attend the 25th Anniversary Celebration of Macao's Return to the Motherland and the Inauguration Ceremony of the Sixth-term Government of the Macao Special Administrative Region.
      
     Members of the HKSAR Government delegation include the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan; the Secretary for Justice, Mr Paul Lam, SC; the Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Erick Tsang Kwok-wai; and the Director of the Chief Executive's Office, Ms Carol Yip.
      
     Mr Lee will return to Hong Kong on December 20. During his absence, the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, will be the Acting Chief Executive.