According to the latest labour force statistics (i.e. provisional figures for July – September 2024) released today (October 18) by the Census and Statistics Department (C&SD), the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate stood at 3.0% in July – September 2024, same as that in June – August 2024. The underemployment rate also remained unchanged at 1.2% in the two periods.
 
     Comparing July – September 2024 with June – August 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 1 700 from 3 708 500 in June – August 2024 to 3 710 200 in July – September 2024. The labour force in July – September 2024 was 3 830 100, about the same as that in June – August 2024 (3 830 800).
 
     The number of unemployed persons (not seasonally adjusted) decreased by around 2 400 from 122 300 in June – August 2024 to 119 900 in July – September 2024. Over the same period, the number of underemployed persons also decreased by around 1 500 from 47 500 to 46 000.
       
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 3.0% in July – September 2024, same as June – August 2024. The underemployment rate also remained unchanged at 1.2%. Total employment increased by 1 700 to 3 710 200. The labour force stayed largely steady at 3 830 100. The number of unemployed persons decreased by 2 400 to 119 900."
 
     Compared with the preceding three-month period, the unemployment rates of various sectors showed diverse movements in July – September 2024, yet the changes were not large in general.
 
     Looking ahead, Mr Sun said, "The overall labour market should remain tight in the near term alongside the sustained economic growth, though the employment situation may vary across sectors depending on their business performances."
 
     In July – September 2024, the Labour Department (LD) recorded a monthly average of 66 271 vacancies from the private sector, representing a year-on-year decrease of 34.7% and a decrease of 2.8% over the average figure in June – August 2024.
 
     On large-scale job fairs, the LD will organise "Building a Multicultural Workplace Job Fair" at MacPherson Stadium in Mong Kok on November 13 and 14, 2024. About 50 employers will participate, offering a large number of vacancies. Job seekers may also make use of the LD's online platforms, such as the Interactive Employment Service website, for obtaining more information on available vacancies.
 
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 July – September 2024 covered a sample of some 26 000 households or 68 000 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 July to September 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 April – June 2024 while the next issue covering the quarter July – September 2024 will be available by end November 2024. 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).

     Thirteen landlords of subdivided units (SDUs), who contravened Part IVA of the Landlord and Tenant (Consolidation) Ordinance (Cap. 7) (the Ordinance), pleaded guilty and were fined a total of $46,800 today (October 18) at the Eastern Magistrates' Courts. Since the Ordinance came into force, the Rating and Valuation Department (RVD) has successfully prosecuted 430 cases involving a total of 371 SDU landlords, with fines ranging from $400 to $34,800, amounting to a total of $904,210.
 
     The offences of these landlords include (1) failing to submit a Notice of Tenancy (Form AR2) to the Commissioner of Rating and Valuation within 60 days after the term of the regulated tenancy commenced; (2) failing to produce copies of the bills and provide an account in writing when requiring the tenant to pay for the reimbursement of the apportioned water and/or electricity charges; and (3) requesting the tenant to pay money other than the types permitted under the Ordinance (i.e. requiring the tenant to pay an amount of rent for the second-term tenancy exceeding the maximum amount of rent permitted under the Ordinance). One of the landlords committed 16 offences under (1) and was fined $12,800.

     The RVD earlier discovered that the landlords failed to comply with the relevant requirements under the Ordinance. Upon an in-depth investigation and evidence collection, the RVD prosecuted against the landlords.
 
     A spokesman for the RVD reiterated that SDU landlords must comply with the relevant requirements under the Ordinance, including prohibiting the landlords from requiring the tenant to pay an amount of rent for the second-term tenancy exceeding the maximum amount of rent permitted under the Ordinance, and also reminded SDU tenants of their rights under the Ordinance. He also stressed that the RVD will continue to take resolute enforcement action against any contraventions of the Ordinance. Apart from following up on reported cases, the RVD has been adopting a multipronged approach to proactively identify, investigate and follow up on cases concerning landlords who are suspected of contravening the Ordinance. In particular, the RVD has been requiring landlords of regulated tenancies to provide information and reference documents of their tenancies for checking whether the landlords concerned have complied with the requirements of the Ordinance. If a landlord, without reasonable excuse, refuses to provide the relevant information or neglects the RVD's request, the landlord commits an offence and is liable to a maximum fine at level 3 ($10,000) and to imprisonment for three months. Depending on the actual circumstances, and having regard to the information and evidence collected, the RVD will take appropriate actions on individual cases, including instigating prosecution against suspected contraventions of the Ordinance.
 
     To help curb illegal acts as soon as possible, members of the public should report to the RVD promptly any suspected cases of contravening the relevant requirements. Reporting can be made through the telephone hotline (2150 8303), by email (enquiries@rvd.gov.hk), by fax (2116 4920), by post (15/F, Cheung Sha Wan Government Offices, 303 Cheung Sha Wan Road, Kowloon), or in person (visiting the Tenancy Services Section office of the RVD at Room 3816-22, 38/F, Immigration Tower, 7 Gloucester Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong, and please call 2150 8303 to make an appointment). Furthermore, the RVD has provided a form (Form AR4) (www.rvd.gov.hk/doc/en/forms/ar4.pdf) on its website to facilitate SDU tenants' reporting to the RVD.
 
     The RVD reminds that pursuant to the Ordinance, a regulated cycle of regulated tenancies is to comprise two consecutive regulated tenancies (i.e. the first-term tenancy and second-term tenancy) for an SDU, and the term of each regulated tenancy is two years. A tenant of a first-term tenancy for an SDU is entitled to be granted a second-term tenancy of the regulated cycle, thus enjoying a total of four years of security of tenure. Since the first batch of regulated tenancies has already approached their second-term tenancies, the RVD has started a new round of publicity and education work in order to assist SDU landlords and tenants to understand the important matters pertaining to the second-term tenancy, and procedures that need to be followed about two months prior to the commencement of the purported second-term tenancy. In addition, the RVD has started issuing letters enclosing relevant information to the landlords and tenants concerned of regulated tenancies in batches, according to the expiry time of their first-term tenancies, to remind them about their respective obligations and rights under the Ordinance. These landlords and tenants may also visit the dedicated page for the second-term tenancy on the RVD's website (www.rvd.gov.hk/en/tenancy_matters/second_term_tenancy.html) for the relevant information, including a concise guide, brochures, tutorial videos and frequently asked questions. SDU landlords and tenants are also advised to familiarise themselves with the relevant statutory requirements and maintain close communication regarding the second-term tenancy for handling the matters properly and in a timely manner according to the Ordinance.
 
     For enquiries related to regulated tenancies, please call the telephone hotline (2150 8303) or visit the RVD's webpage (www.rvd.gov.hk/en/our_services/part_iva.html) for the relevant information.
 

     The subsidiary legislation under the Registration of Persons Ordinance (ROP Ordinance) (Cap. 177), namely the Registration of Persons (Amendment) Regulation 2024, was gazetted today (October 18).

     Corresponding to the above amendments, amendments to the Electronic Transactions (Exclusion) Order (Cap. 553B), viz. the Electronic Transactions (Exclusion) (Amendment) (No. 2) Order 2024, was also gazetted today.

     The above legislative proposals aim to enable the submission and processing of applications for Hong Kong identity cards (HKICs) by automated means via the Personal Documentation Submission Kiosks (PDSKs) of the Immigration Department (ImmD). Eligible applicants can complete the streamlined application procedures at the PDSKs in a self-service manner without the need to meet a Registration Officer in person. The proposed amendment regulation and order will be tabled at the Legislative Council on October 23 for negative vetting.

     A spokesman for the ImmD said, "The first batch of PDSKs is now set up at the Immigration Headquarters in Tseung Kwan O. It is anticipated that the PDSKs' function in handling HKICs applications will be introduced by the end of this year, once the amendments to the related subsidiary legislations have passed through the scrutiny period. Eligible applicants will be able to submit HKICs applications in a self-service manner, which will be more convenient and time-efficient. Regardless of the means used to submit applications, the eligibility criteria for HKICs applications remain unchanged."

     The service arrangements and details regarding HKICs applications via PDSKs will be announced in due course prior to its introduction at the end of this year.

The following is issued on behalf of the University Grants Committee:
 
     In line with the Government's initiative to further strengthen the promotion of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics) education in primary and secondary schools, and to take further steps to identify and nurture local STEAM elites, the Research Grants Council (RGC) will organise a series of public lectures from October to November, covering topics including the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, economy, health, technology and innovation. Admission is free on a first-come, first-served basis. All are welcome.
 
     The lecture titled "To Healthy Life! Obesity Management and Application of Ultra-precision Machining Technology" will be held on October 26 (Saturday). The lecture will be conducted in Cantonese. Details are as follows:

Time: 2.30pm to 4.30pm
Venue: Lecture Hall, 1/F, Hong Kong Science Museum
 
     Members of the public may also watch a live broadcast of the lecture through the Facebook page (www.facebook.com/hkscm) or the YouTube Channel (www.youtube.com/user/hksciencemuseum) of the Hong Kong Science Museum.
 
     In the first session "Combating obesity: Our current understanding and challenges", Associate Professor of the School of Biological Sciences of the University of Hong Kong Professor Chan Chi-bun will talk about the causes and impact of obesity, and the latest research on preventive and therapeutic methods to combat obesity.
 
     In the second session "Novel Ultra-Precision Machining Technology Enters Innovation, Technology and Life", Chair Professor of Ultra-precision Machining and Metrology of the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering and the Director of the State Key Laboratory of Ultra-precision Machining Technology of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Professor Benny Cheung, will introduce the development and application of ultra-precision nano multi-ring machining technology in the development of a novel and high-efficacy nano multi-ring defocus incorporated spectacle lens for myopia control. He will also talk about how interdisciplinary research and industrial collaboration help improve human life.
 
     The RGC has been regularly organising public lectures since 2009, featuring various distinguished scholars as speakers. These lectures aim to promote research knowledge of Hong Kong's tertiary institutions and to raise public awareness of the significance and value of local research work.
 
     For enquiries, please call 2524 3987 or visit the University Grants Committee webpage (www.ugc.edu.hk/eng/rgc/about/events/lectures/lectures.html). In addition, members of the public can register for the RGC's email subscription service at www.ugc.edu.hk/eng/rgc/about/subscribe to receive regular updates.

     The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) today (October 18) released the latest grading of water quality for 39 gazetted beaches (see Note 1) and one non-gazetted beach (see Note 2).
 
     Twenty-nine beaches were rated as Good (Grade 1), and 11 as Fair (Grade 2).

Grade 1 beaches are:

 
Grade 2 beaches are:

     Compared with the grading released last week, Cafeteria New Beach and Clear Water Bay First Beach have been upgraded from Grade 2 to Grade 1. Anglers' Beach, Clear Water Bay Second Beach and Ting Kau Beach have been changed from Grade 1 to Grade 2.
 
     "The changes are generally within the normal range of fluctuation of the bacteriological water quality of the beaches," an EPD spokesman said.
 
     Under the present grading system, beaches are classified into four grades, namely Good (Grade 1), Fair (Grade 2), Poor (Grade 3) and Very Poor (Grade 4), according to the level of E. coli in the water. Grades are calculated on the basis of the geometric mean of the E. coli counts on the five most recent sampling occasions.
 
     While the ratings represent the general water quality at the beaches, the EPD spokesman reminded members of the public that water quality could be temporarily affected during and after periods of heavy rain. Bathers should avoid swimming at beaches for up to three days after a tropical cyclone or heavy rainfall.
 
     A summary of beach grades is published weekly before the weekend. The latest beach grades based on the most current data may be obtained from the EPD's website on Beach Water Quality (www.epd.gov.hk/epd/beach) or the beach hotline, 2511 6666. Members of the public can also obtain the latest daily water quality forecast information for all beaches that are open for swimming through the EPD's dedicated webpage on the beach water quality forecast (www.epd.gov.hk/en/BWQForecast). Moreover, the EPD will cease support to the Beach Water Quality Forecast mobile application with effect from November 1, with a view to prioritising resources to maintain and enhance the dedicated webpage on the beach water quality forecast.
 
Note 1: Lifesaving services are provided by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department at 27 gazetted beaches, marked with an asterisk (*) above, from September 1. For details, please refer to the Leisure and Cultural Services Department's Special Announcement (www.lcsd.gov.hk/en/beach/index.html).
 
Note 2: This refers to Discovery Bay Tai Pak Beach which is a non-gazetted beach that has no lifesaving service.