Unemployment stays steady

Hong Kong's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate held steady at 3.1 percent in the October-December period versus the prior three-month period, the government said yesterday.

The unemployment rate was in line with the September-November and August-October periods and slightly up from 3 percent in the July-September period.

"The labor market should remain largely stable in the near term, though the employment situation in some sectors might be more affected by increased uncertainties in the global environment," Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun Yuk-han said.

Many industries experienced a decline in unemployment rates from October-December period compared to the prior three-month period.

The manufacturing, finance, social work activities, arts, entertainment and recreation sectors saw significant drops in their unemployment rates.

Staff reporter