Jobless rates for young, construction sector fall
Permanent Secretary for Economic Development and Labour Matthew Cheung Kin-chung expects a continued upturn in the employment market - especially among young people and in the construction sector. He said the unemployment rate for the 15-19 age group fell from 29.2 per cent in the June-August period to 25.4 per cent in the July-September period. In the construction sector, it dropped from 12.7 per cent to 11 per cent during the same periods.
Reports on statutory, advisory bodies to Legco
Home Affairs Secretary Patrick Ho Chi-ping said 14 interim reports reviewing the role, functions and management of public sector advisory and statutory bodies have been submitted to the Legislative Council's home affairs panel. Dr Ho said the government would consider suggestions in the reports that recommended separating the current post of executive chairperson at the Equal Opportunities Commission into two posts of non-executive chairperson and chief executive officer.
Olympic flame to make stopover in Hong Kong
The Olympic torch for the 2008 Games will make a stopover in Hong Kong, Home Affairs Secretary Patrick Ho Chi-ping said. In a written reply to legislators, he said the Olympic flame would travel through Tibet, across the Yangtze River, the Yellow River and up to the Great Wall. Macau and Taiwan would also be on the route. The flame would be carried by 56 torchbearers from different ethnic groups in China.
