Work brakes: The unemployment rate rose to 4.6% in the November to January period while the underemployment rate grew to 2.1%.

The unemployment rate rose to 4.6% in the November to January period, from 4.1% in the October-December quarter. The underemployment rate nudged up from 1.9% to 2.1%.

The increase in unemployment was almost across-the-board as the impact of the global financial turmoil became more apparent on a broad front, the Census & Statistics Department said.

The employment market will remain weak as the turmoil's effect spreads across economic sectors. A further weakening in labour demand after the Lunar New Year is also expected to translate into more job losses in the near term.

Aid set for job-seekers

Secretary for Labour & Welfare Matthew Cheung said the Government will leave no stone unturned in creating job opportunities on all fronts, and is making every effort to help job-seekers. 

"Some 55,000 construction jobs will be created in the next financial year through accelerating infrastructure and minor works projects. The Government will recruit 7,700 civil servants and create about 4,000 temporary openings in the next 14 months. Over 20 statutory bodies will also recruit some 6,000 employees and create about 2,000 temporary jobs or internship opportunities this year.

"The Labour Department will continue to organise large-scale job fairs in shopping malls and community halls as well as mini-job fairs at its Job Centres. To facilitate local residents in seeking jobs, it will hold large-scale job fairs on February 27 at Lei Yue Mun Plaza, and March 10-11, 2009 at Olympian City," he added.

Employment drops

Total employment fell from 3,544,300 to 3,530,000, while the labour force increased by around 2,000 to an all-time high of 3,687,700.

The number of unemployed people grew from 141,300 to 157,700, while the number of underemployed people rose from 69,800 to 76,100.