Employment unchanged at 10-year low of 3.3pc
Hong Kong unemployment was unchanged last month, at a 10-year low of 3.3 per cent. The number of people in work fell by around 1,200 from May, but the workforce shrank by around 1,900, to 3,653,900, meaning that the number officially out of work fell by more than 600. Employment in the hotel and restaurant, communications and personal services sectors rose, while unemployment worsened for construction and insurance staff. The underemployment rate, which measures the number of people who cannot find more than 35 hours of work a week, edged up to 1.9 per cent from 1.8 per cent, the Census and Statistics Department said.
New secretary in Geneva
New Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Rita Lau Ng Wai-lan will attend ministerial meetings of the World Trade Organisation in Geneva from today to July 26. The meetings are aimed at helping conclude the Doha round of global trade negotiations by the end of the year.
Eva Cheng arrives in Beijing
Secretary for Transport and Housing Eva Cheng began a two-day visit to Beijing to exchange views with mainland officials about co-operation on cross-border transport infrastructure and air services arrangements. A transport bureau deputy director and the director of highways are accompanying her.
