Hong Kong's jobless rate remained stable at 3.3 percent in the March-May period, unchanged from February-April, revealed the Census and Statistics Department here Tuesday.

The seasonally adjusted jobless rate during the March-May period was also the lowest level in 10 years in the city, according to the department.

The underemployment rate also held stable, at 1.8 percent for both periods.

Secretary for Labor and Welfare Matthew Cheung said the labor market remained buoyant and the labor supply is expected to expand at a faster pace with more fresh graduates and school leavers entering the market in the coming months.

Total employment dropped 2,100 to 3,535,200 but the labor force fell 900 to 3,657,300 making the jobless rate remain stable.

The number of jobless grew 1,200 to 122,100 while the number of underemployed rose 1,400 to 67,200.

Unemployment rate dips were mainly seen in the construction, sanitary services and transport sectors while increases were more apparent in the amusement and recreational services, restaurants and retail trade sectors.

Falls in the underemployment rate were mainly observed in the communications and miscellaneous personal services sectors, offsetting the rise in the decoration and maintenance, and amusement and recreational services sectors.

In May, the Labor Department saw 56,242 vacancies from the private sector, up 21.7 percent over a year earlier. On average it received 2,800 vacancies each working day.

(Xinhua News Agency June 18, 2008)