Unemployment edges up in city

Hong Kong's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate edged up by 0.1 percentage points to 3.2 percent between December and February, according to data released yesterday by the Census and Statistics Department.

Earlier, the rate stood at 3.1 percent in November-January, October-December, September-November and August-October periods, compared to 3 percent in the July-September period.

Total employment fell by around 7,100 to 3,709,500, while the labor force declined by about 5,400 to 3,821,300.

The number of unemployed grew by 1,600 while the underemployed number fell by 2,300.

Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun Yuk-han expects the labor market to remain largely steady for the short term amid economic expansion, while some firms may be affected by the United States's trade protection measures.

Staff reporter and Reuters