Hong Kong's jobless rate stays at 3.3%

Hong Kong's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate stood at 3.3 percent in July to September, 2014, same as that in June to August this year, the city's statistics department said here on Monday.
An increase in the jobless rate was observed in the decoration, repair and maintenance for buildings sector while decreases were seen in the cleaning and similar activities, and warehousing and support activities for transportation sectors.
On the short-term outlook, the Secretary for Labor and Welfare Matthew Cheung said while the latest figures indicated a still largely tight labor market up to September, they had not yet reflected the disruptions to economic activities caused by the recent 'Occupy Central' movement on many industries such as retail, catering and inbound tourism.
He said the 'Occupy Central' movement, if protracted, would inevitably dampen the local consumption market in the fourth quarter with potential knock-on impact on the employment market.