The Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, welcomed the latest notable drop in the unemployment rate. In November 2007, the Labour Department netted 55 898 vacancies from the private sector, a significant increase of 41.4% over the same period last year. On average, the Department received over 2 500 vacancies per working day.
“These encouraging figures reflected our sustained economic growth and an upbeat labour market,” he said.
However, he stressed that the Government would not be complacent and would keep up its efforts to help those who have difficulty entering the labour market, particularly those from remote districts like Tin Shui Wai and Tung Chung.
Looking ahead, whether the unemployment rate would drop further hinges on the pace of job creation relative to the growth in labour supply during the festival period around Christmas and the New Year.
Census and Statistics Department
marketing@alchempro.com
