HONG KONG - Hong Kong's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate dropped from 2.9 percent in January-March to 2.8 percent in February-April period, setting a record low in more than 20 years, statistics showed on Thursday.The underemployment rate remained unchanged at 1 percent in the two periods, according to the Census and Statistics Departments of the government of China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.Secretary for Labor and Welfare Law Chi-kwong said the labor market tightened further in February-April on the back of robust economic conditions.The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate edged down by 0.1 percentage point to 2.8 percent, the lowest level in more than 20 years and the underemployment rate likewise stayed low at 1 percent, while total employment continued to record appreciable growth on a year-on-year basis, he said."Compared to the preceding three-month period, a more notable decrease in unemployment rate was seen in the education sector. On a year-on-year comparison to net out seasonal influences, most major service sectors showed visible improvement in unemployment situation," he said.In particular, jobless rates in the financing sector as well as the trade and tourism-related segments posted discernible declines, thanks to the buoyant economic environment and continued recovery of tourist arrivals, he noted.Looking ahead, Law believed overall labor market conditions will likely remain tight in the near term amid the prevailing positive economic environment.He noted that the labor department launched a special program "Career Let's Go" and it will last from May to August to help this year's secondary school leavers find suitable work through a series of tailor-made activities. printed wristbandswristband designflash drive wristband24hourwristbands
LHASA - Residents of southwest China's Tibet autonomous region have been mobilized for government-paid patrolling jobs to protect the ecosystem on the "roof of the world."The regional environmental department said on Monday that the government has created 620,000 jobs for forest wardens, patrollers in water source conservation areas and wildlife preservation workers.The department's figures suggested that since 2004, the regional government has spent 19.2 billion yuan (2.9 billion US dollars) to subsidize environmental jobs.All 3 million Tibetan residents can volunteer to choose these jobs, and most of them opt to do the work part time, according to the department.Purbu, 51, of Gyibo village in Xigaze city is a forest patroller responsible for reporting fire hazards.The cargo truck driver just spent 1 million yuan to build a new house. He said the annual pay of 6,000 yuan for patrolling does not matter much to him, but he is willing to patrol in the winter, when the fire risk is high."We have depended on the forest to live for generations. The government pays to have it protected. How could we not do something?" he said.The city's virgin forest, located 4,600 meters above sea level, yields abundant resources for farmers like Purbu.Qiao Liwen, a 12-year-old primary school student in Lhasa, the regional capital, is among the youngest patrollers.She and other students at Nanmuxiang Primary School pick up garbage on the street and throw it into a garbage classification and recycling station at the school, which they call the "Green Bank."
