Encouraging signs: Employment remained stable for the quarter ending June, with the 5.7% unemployment rate matching the March-May period. The underemployment rate fell from 3% to 2.8%.

Employment remained stable for the quarter ending June, with the 5.7% unemployment rate matching the March-May period. The underemployment rate fell from 3% to 2.8%.

Total employment rose by 5,400 to 3.364 million, while the total labour force grew by 5,600 to 3,569 million. The number of unemployed was 205,000, while the number of underemployed fell 7,200 to 100,000.

Falls in the unemployment rate were seen in the manufacturing, wholesale trade and real estate sectors, whereas rises were seen in the construction and sanitary services sectors.

The underemployment fall was concentrated in the decoration and maintenance, education services and sanitary services sectors.

Graduates' entry may affect jobless figures

The Census & Statistics Department said in the next few months the entry of fresh graduates and school leavers may affect the labour force and unemployment figures.

However, they will be gradually absorbed into employment, as long as more jobs are created upon further economic growth.

In June, the Labour Department achieved another record high of 9,761 job placements, up 1.2% on the peak in May and a significant rise of 30.4% over the same period last year.

The department will stage a district-based job fair on August 3 at Kwai Tsing Theatre. Several hundred vacancies at 12 employers will be on offer. Two more job fairs will be held in Tuen Mun and Yuen Long later this year.