Unemployment in Hong Kong not just limited to grassroots level

While unemployment is severe among the lower class, middle-level occupations have also been badly hit by unemployment.
By: | February 11, 2021
Topics: Employee Experience | Health and Wellness | Hong Kong | Job Cuts | News

Hong Kong’s unemployment is not just affecting grassroots workers and those with a lower education, finds a report by the Hong Kong Council of Social Service. 

While unemployment is severe among the lower class, middle-level occupations have also been badly hit by unemployment, finds the report, based on government data between July and September 2020.

Service and sales workers face the highest unemployment rate at 10%, followed by craft-related jobs, such as carpenters, mechanics, jewellery workers, bakers, and painters.

Other roles that have been affected include clerical support workers, plant and machine operators and assemblers.

The report also highlights that people with middle- to high-level education, such as those with a degree, diploma or sub-degree, are not exempt from losing their job, especially in the current climate. 

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Based on findings, unemployed plant and machine operators and assemblers, managers and administrators, service and sales workers and clerical support workers should expect to find their next job in at least four months.

So far, 380,000 people in Hong Kong have been affected by unemployment and underemployment, which have increased by 100% and 183.3% respectively in the past year, it says.