Labour Chief 'not Too Positive' Ahead Of Job Data

The Labour Secretary, Law Chi-kwong, indicated there was more bad news ahead as the government got ready to release its latest unemployment figures on Tuesday.

Law said there was "no reason to be too positive" and the current forecast of a surge in unemployment to 4.5 percent was "an optimistic estimation”.

Hong Kong has been experiencing one of its worst economic downturns as the China-US trade spat, social unrest and coronavirus epidemic have landed blow after blow to the trade and commerce sectors.

The secretary said that the jobless rate could spike to as much as 5 percent in the worst case scenario.

With the economy slumping, the government is rolling out an employment support scheme that pays employers part of staff wages to avoid sackings.

Law said the government would also consider introducing policies that target those who have already lost their jobs.