HK jobless rate falls to 3.3 pct in Oct.-Dec.

HONG KONG, Jan. 17 (Xinhua) -- Hong Kong's jobless rate fell to 3.3 percent in the three months ended December, 2012, from 3.4 percent in the three months ended November last year, the city's statistics said here on Thursday.

Total employment increased to 3,689,600 in October to December, from 3,666,200 in September to November last year, according to the data. Over the same period, the labor force also increased to 3,806,600 from 3,793,300.

The Secretary for Labor and Welfare department Matthew Cheung said the prevailing strength of domestic demand and inbound tourism in the run-up to the Lunar New Year will boost labor demand, thereby helping to keep the unemployment rate at a low level.

Cheung said Hong Kong's labor market remained tight in 2012 as a whole, with the total employment sustaining its growth and the unemployment rate staying at relatively low levels, signifying another year of virtually full employment for the local workforce, with 90,900 jobs added in 2012 over 2011.

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