The Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) released results of the Employment Survey for the third quarter of 2010, of which the principal indicators such as labour force participation rate (71.8%) and unemployment rate (2.9%) have been published in October. Total labour force was 329,600 in the third quarter of 2010, comprising 320,200 employed and 9,400 unemployed. Compared with the second quarter of 2010, total labour force registered an increase of 3,300, with number of the employed and the unemployed rising by 3,200 and 100 respectively. Analyzed by industry, the majority of the employed were engaging in Recreational, Cultural, Gaming & Other Services (24.3%) and Wholesale & Retail Trade (13.4%). In terms of occupation, most of the employed were Clerks (including casino dealers, floorpersons, betting service operators, etc.) and Service & Sales Workers, accounting for 26.7% and 21.9% respectively. Median monthly employment earnings of the employed increased by MOP 500 from the previous quarter to MOP 9,000, while that of the local residents held stable at MOP10,000. Number of the underemployed totalled 5,400, with 66.9% engaging in Construction and 12.0% in Transport, Storage & Communications. In respect of the unemployed, 81.0% were searching for a new job and 19.0% were fresh labour force entrants searching for their first job. With regard to educational attainment, 30.9% had primary education or lower, 26.9% had junior secondary education and 26.6% had senior secondary education. For the unemployed that were searching for a new job, analyzed by industry previously engaged, 29.8% had worked in Construction and 17.2% in Wholesale & Retail Trade. Analyzed by previous occupation, 25.7% were Service & Sales Workers, and 22.3% were Craftsmen and similar workers.
