Steady work: The seasonally adjusted jobless rate for September to November remained at 5.3% while the underemployment rate fell from 2.5% to 2.4%.

The seasonally adjusted jobless rate for September to November remained at 5.3% while the underemployment rate fell from 2.5% to 2.4%, the Census & Statistics Department says.

Total employment grew by 2,200 to an all-time high of 3.418 million with the total labour force dropping from 3,609,100 to 3.608 million.

The number of unemployed fell from 193,300 in the August-to-October period to 190,000 in September-to-November. The number of underemployed fell by around 2,000 to 88,000.

Jobless rate in manufacturing drops

A drop in unemployment was mainly seen in the manufacturing, education services and sanitary-services sectors, while increases were more apparent in the construction and restaurants sectors.

As to the underemployment rate, drops were mainly seen in the restaurants and sanitary-services sectors.

Noting the overall labour market sentiment remained generally buoyant, the department said the improvement in consumer spending and vibrant inbound tourism should continue to create job opportunities for the tourism-related services sector.

Outlook depends on festival business conditions

The near-term outlook will depend on the overall business conditions and in particular job creation in the corporate sector during Christmas and the New Year.

In November the Labour Department achieved 10,875 job placements, up 34% over the same period last year. Meanwhile, the department captured 39,775 private-sector vacancies, up 36% over the same month last year.