Underemployment rate dipped to 1.4% in September, November

But unemployment rate held on.

According to the Census & Statistics Department, the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate stood at 3.3% in the September-November quarter, matching that for the August-October period.

The underemployment rate decreased from 1.5% to 1.4%.

Secretary for Labour & Welfare Matthew Cheung said the labour market remained in a state of full employment in the September-November quarter.

The number of unemployed persons decreased to 127,200, while total employment registered year-on-year growth of 2.4%.

The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate has held steady at 3.3% since the second quarter of 2013.

Mr Cheung said the labour market will remain tight during the Christmas and New Year period. The unemployment rate is expected to stay low in the near term.

Increases in the unemployment rate mainly showed in the construction and manufacturing sectors while decreases were more apparent in the import and export trade, and postal and courier activities sectors.

Increases in the underemployment rate were mainly seen in the construction, and food and beverage service activities sectors.