HONG Kong's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 3.5 percent in the February-April period, the same as that for January to March, while the underemployment rate was also flat at 1.6 percent, the Census & Statistics Department said yesterday.

The retail, manufacturing, and accommodation and food services sectors saw increases in the jobless rate while drops were seen in the insurance, wholesale and construction sectors.

A rise in the underemployment rate was seen in the foundation and superstructure works segments of the construction sector while that for the cleaning and similar activities sector fell.

The labor force added 1,000 to 3,851,700 during the period. The number of unemployed rose by 1,000 to 133,500. Over the same period, the number of underemployed gained by 700 to 61,800.

Commenting on the latest jobless figures, Hong Kong's Secretary for Labor & Welfare Matthew Cheung said a new batch of fresh graduates and school leavers will enter the labor market in the coming months. Coupled with a still rather cautious hiring sentiment, there may be some pressure on the jobless rate.

"Yet, the resilience of domestic demand should provide some cushion to the overall employment situation," he said.