WONG Yee-mei is unemployed. Having sewed in a San Po Kong textile factory for over a decade, the mother of two had to quit her job in September. The clothing plant is moving its operation to China.
Today, the 35-year-old wants, and needs, work.
'Being out of work has put pressure on both myself and the family,' said Ms Wong, who lives in a Lam Tin public housing estate. 'I need the job to keep me occupied during the day and the money to make ends meet.
'I could have held on to my job, but having been off regular employment since Lunar New Year when part of the factory began to move across the border, what's the use? I'll lose it eventually.
'My husband is a carpenter working on contract so there is no guarantee he will always have work. I am quite happy to take up any job. I'm sure there are jobs in other industries for people like me.' She is in for a big surprise.
According to official statistics, Ms Wong is a typical unemployed person seeking work. They are aged between 30 and 45, are Form Three educated or below, and have lost their job in the declining manufacturing sector.
With the unemployment rate at 3.5 per cent (seasonally adjusted), the highest in 11 years, economists say the estimated 110,000 jobless figure is a result of economic restructuring: Hong Kong is shifting from a manufacturing to a service base.