Jobless rate tops in 15 years - and it's forecast to rise some moreJoblessness in the consumption and tourism-related sectors edged up to 10.7 percent in the April to June period. The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased by 0.3 percentage points to 6.2 percent in the April to June period, from March to May. The underemployment rate increased by 0.2 percentage points to 3.7 percent. "The local labour market situation going forward will depend very much on how the global and local epidemic situations evolve." DBS Bank (Hong Kong) said the unemployment rate could rise above 7 percent if the government extends social-distancing measures to next month and continues the 14-day mandatory quarantine in the second half.

Source: The Standard July 20, 2020 19:07 UTC