HK's jobless rate falls to 3.2% in Oct to Dec

HONG KONG - Hong Kong's jobless rate fell to 3.2 percent in October to December 2013 from the 3.3 percent in the three months ended November, the city's statistics department said on Monday.

The underemployment rate remained unchanged at 1.4 percent in the two periods.

Secretary for Labor and Welfare Matthew Cheung said the labor market remained tight in October to December amidst the festive boost to labor demand towards the year-end.

He said the labor market stayed firm throughout 2013, with the total employment expanding further and the unemployment rate remaining at low levels, signifying a year of full employment.

On the short-term outlook, Cheung said the unemployment rate is expected to stay low as the more vibrant business activity in the run-up to the Lunar New Year will further render support to labor demand.