On track: The jobless rate stands at 3.2% while the underemployment rate is stable at 1.9%.

Employment remained stable for the quarter ending August with unemployment at 3.2% and underemployment at 1.9%, the Census & Statistics Department says.

Unemployment fell in the decoration and maintenance, communications, and manufacturing sectors, while increases were seen in the sanitary services, education services, and welfare and community services sectors.

Underemployment falls were mainly seen in the foundation and superstructure construction, and retail trade sectors, offsetting the rises in the decoration and maintenance, and miscellaneous personal services sectors.

Employment grows

Total employment rose by 13,100 to 3,546,300 in June-August while the labour force grew by 17,600 to an all-time high of 3,675,400.

The number of jobless people rose by 4,500 to 129,100 while the number of underemployed people fell by 900 to 69,000.

In August the Labour Department received 64,000 vacancies from the private sector, up 9.3% on the same period last year. On average the department received 3,000 vacancies per working day.

Uncertainties remain

Secretary for Labour & Welfare Matthew Cheung said the unemployment rate has remained unchanged notwithstanding the expansion in labour supply. Nevertheless there is no ground for optimism in the face of the global financial turbulence.

"With the further downside risks to the already challenging external environment, the uncertainties clouding over the near term outlook for the local economy have increased," he said.