According to the latest labour force statistics (i.e. provisional figures for September – November 2018) released today (December 18) by the Census and Statistics Department (C&SD), the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate stood at 2.8% in September – November 2018, same as that in August – October 2018. The underemployment rate also remained unchanged at 1.2% in the two periods.

     Comparing September – November 2018 with August – October 2018, movements in the unemployment rate (not seasonally adjusted) and underemployment rate in different industry sectors varied, but were generally small in magnitude.

     Total employment decreased by around 5 400 from 3 872 600 in August – October 2018 to 3 867 200 in September – November 2018. Over the same period, the labour force also decreased by around 10 600 from 3 988 600 to 3 978 000.

     The number of unemployed persons (not seasonally adjusted) decreased by around 5 200 from 116 000 in August – October 2018 to 110 800 in September – November 2018. Over the same period, the number of underemployed persons also decreased by around 800 from 46 700 to 45 900.

Commentary

     Commenting on the latest unemployment figures, the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Dr Law Chi-kwong, said, "The labour market remained tight in September – November 2018, with the unemployment rate (seasonally adjusted) and the underemployment rate holding steady at 2.8% and 1.2% respectively. Total employment continued to record solid growth on a year-on-year basis."

     "When compared to the preceding three-month period, movements in unemployment rates varied across sectors, but were generally small in magnitude. The unemployment situation in most of the major service sectors showed improvements on a year-on-year basis. In particular, the unemployment rates of the retail, accommodation and food services sectors decreased visibly from a year earlier on the back of resilient local consumption demand and the strong performance of inbound tourism."

     Looking ahead, Dr Law said, "The labour market will likely remain tight in the near term. Yet, the employment outlook further down the road will hinge on the impacts of the various external headwinds on the local economy. The Government will stay vigilant and monitor the situation closely."

     He noted that the Labour Department (LD) continues to promote the employment of elderly persons, including organising experience sharing sessions on employment of elderly persons and inviting representatives of the Hong Kong Federation of Insurers to brief employers on matters relating to the taking out of employees' compensation insurance policies for elderly employees. LD also stages large-scale thematic job fairs targeted at middle-aged and elderly job seekers and organises district-based job fairs on part-time employment at job centres to meet the needs of some elderly persons who are more interested in taking up part-time jobs.  

     On large-scale job fairs, LD will organise the North District Recruitment and Training Expo 2019 on January 4, 2019 at Wo Hing Sports Centre in Fanling. 57 employers will participate, offering about 5 800 vacancies. Eight training bodies will introduce job training programmes at the venue and receive applications on the spot. Moreover, LD will organise the Leap into a New Page Job Expo on March 5 and 6, 2019 at the Hong Kong Productivity Council Building in Kowloon Tong. In addition, industry-based or district-based job fairs are regularly organised at 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 September – November 2018 covered a sample of some 25 000 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 July – September 2018 while the next issue covering the quarter October – December 2018 will be available by end February 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).

     The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) announced today (December 18) that the monthly territory-wide ovitrap index for Aedes albopictus dropped further, from 2.2 per cent in October to 0.8 per cent in November, indicating that the infestation of Aedes albopictus in the areas surveyed was not extensive.

      "Aedes albopictus is a kind of mosquito that can transmit dengue fever (DF) and Zika virus. In view of the 29 local DF cases recorded in Hong Kong so far this year, and that DF is highly prevalent in neighbouring areas while the breeding and activity of mosquitoes also continue in the winter season, the community must remain vigilant and continue to carry out effective mosquito prevention and control measures," an FEHD spokesman said.

     Among the 57 areas surveyed last month, positive ovitrap indices were recorded in 26 areas, ranging from 0.7 per cent to 6.3 per cent, with the highest in Ma On Shan. As for the port areas, the monthly ovitrap index for Aedes albopictus for November fell to 0.04 per cent from 0.2 per cent in October.

     "The FEHD and relevant government departments will continue to intensify their mosquito preventive and control work covering areas under their purview and strengthen publicity and education campaigns. The FEHD has launched a special territory-wide thematic mosquito prevention and control operation on October 29, which will continue in the winter season and last till January 11, 2019. Relevant departments have also participated in the operation. The district offices of the FEHD will target areas which have drawn particular concern, such as single-block buildings, village houses, construction sites, areas previously detected with local DF cases and container terminals and cargo working areas in port areas, to intensify mosquito prevention and control work throughout winter. Closely following the thematic operation, the year-end clean-up operation will commence on January 11, 2019, during which mosquito control work will also be enhanced."

     In addition, the FEHD set up four Pest Control Inspection Teams in May last year to step up inspection of construction sites and enforcement action against mosquito breeding. This year, as of December 9, the FEHD has instituted 203 prosecutions for mosquito breeding found in relevant premises under the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance (Cap 132), comprising 194 cases involving construction sites and nine cases involving other premises.

     In order to keep the public abreast of the latest situation of mosquito infestation and assist them to take timely mosquito prevention and control measures, the FEHD is releasing additional results of the Area Ovitrap Index (AOI) for Aedes albopictus at two more stages every month, before the announcement of the monthly AOI and the monthly ovitrap index for Aedes albopictus. The FEHD will follow the established practice of notifying relevant government departments of the aforementioned indices so that they can carry out targeted mosquito prevention and control work promptly to strengthen the anti-mosquito efforts.

     The spokesman added that as Aedes albopictus breeds in small water bodies, members of the public should continue to carry out effective mosquito prevention and control measures, including inspecting their homes and surroundings to remove potential breeding grounds, scrubbing vases and pot plant saucers at least once a week, properly disposing of containers such as soft drink cans and lunch boxes, and drilling large holes in unused tyres. He also advised the public and estate management bodies to keep drains free of blockage and fill up all depressions to prevent puddles from forming. They should also scrub all drains and surface sewers with an alkaline detergent compound at least once a week to remove any mosquito eggs.

     In addition, rural areas and the vicinity of shrubby areas are the natural habitats for mosquitoes, other insects and animals. Members of the public living in rural areas may install mosquito screens on windows and doors if necessary. Those staying in the natural environment should follow appropriate personal protective measures against mosquitoes, such as avoiding staying in the vicinity of shrubby areas for a long time, wearing light-coloured long-sleeved clothes and trousers and applying DEET-containing insect repellent. Members of the public are reminded to make reports to the government departments via 1823 if mosquito problems are detected.
      
     The spokesman reiterated that effective mosquito control requires the sustained effort of all parties concerned. The community must work together with the Government to carry out effective mosquito control measures.

     He also reminded travellers to take the following precautionary measures when visiting areas where mosquito-borne diseases are prevalent during the Christmas and New Year holidays:
 
* Wear light-coloured, long-sleeved clothes and trousers;
* Use insect repellents over exposed parts of the body when outdoors; and
* Use mosquito screens or nets when a room is not air-conditioned.

     Travellers returning from these places should seek medical advice if they have symptoms such as fever, severe headache or muscle and joint pain. They should also inform their doctor of their travel history.

     The ovitrap index is divided into four levels, reflecting the infestation level of Aedes albopictus. Level 1 (< 5 per cent) indicates that infestation of the mosquito is not extensive in the area surveyed. Level 2 (5 per cent – < 20 per cent) indicates that infestation of the mosquito is slightly more extensive in the area surveyed. Level 3 (20 per cent – < 40 per cent) indicates that infestation of the mosquito exceeds one-fifth of the area surveyed. Level 4 (>/= 40 per cent) indicates that almost half of the surveyed area is infested with the mosquito. The Government will step up the scale of anti-mosquito operations according to the level of infestation as well as reports from front-line staff and the public.

     As Aedes albopictus can transmit DF and Zika virus, oviposition traps are set in 57 areas in Hong Kong for monitoring the breeding of Aedes albopictus, which is only one of the mosquito species commonly found in Hong Kong and is active only in the daytime. The index does not capture the activity of Aedes albopictus outside the 57 areas and it also does not measure the prevalence of other kinds of mosquitoes.

     The ovitrap indices for Aedes albopictus in different areas and information on mosquito prevention and control measures are available on the department website at www.fehd.gov.hk.

     The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Tuesday, December 18, 2018 is 105.5 (down 0.2 against yesterday's index).

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:

Hong Kong Monetary Authority Exchange Fund Bills Tender Results
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     Hong Kong Monetary Authority tenders to be held in the week beginning December 24:
 

     Following is the transcript of remarks by the Acting Chief Executive, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, at a media session before the Executive Council meeting this morning (December 18):
      
Reporter: Mr Secretary, some lawmakers say the requirement to play national anthem before the ceremony in LegCo is amount to putting political pressure or political censorship on them. Will the government consider removing that requirement when the legislation is tabled to LegCo next year?

Acting Chief Executive: We have the constitutional responsibility in Hong Kong to enact local law to implement national anthem legislation which is a national piece of law that we should follow. As I said before, we consulted the community. And in fact, drafting has been more or less completed and we expect to bring the bill to LegCo early next year as soon as possible. So by then, we will certainly hear the views of the community on the bill.
 
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)