Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that the unemployment rate for September-November 2009 was 3.3%, down further by 0.2 percentage point over the previous period (August-October), and reduced to the same level as recorded in the same period of 2008. Total labour force was 323,500 in September-November 2009, with an employed population of 312,800 and unemployed of 10,700, decreasing by 2,100 and 600 respectively compared with previous period. Among the unemployed, 13.5% (1,400) were fresh labour force entrants searching for their first job, down by 1.5 percentage points over the previous period. Analysed by industry, the number of persons working in Hotel Sector and Retail Trade increased from the preceding period, while that in Restaurants & Similar Activities and Transport, Storage & Communications registered a decrease. The labour force participation rate for September-November 2009 (71.2%) fell by 0.5 percentage point from the previous period and 1.5 percentage points year-on-year. The underemployment rate was 1.9%, same as that in the preceding period, but up by 0.3 percentage point year-on-year.
