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■零售業缺乏動力，預料結業及裁員潮陸續有來。 資料圖片
政府統計處發表的數字顯示，本港最新失業率上升0.1個百分點，至3.4%，是兩年來的最高。旅遊業持續弱勢，零售業不景，建造業後勁存疑，勞工市場受到的負面影響漸漸顯現。
建造業及零售業的失業率升幅較為明顯，而就業不足率上升主要見於建造業及餐飲服務業。由於訪港旅客人數不斷下跌，零售業乃至整個消費市道缺乏動力，預料商戶結業及裁員潮陸續有來，將推高相關行業的失業率。
立法會的「拉布」大戰，拖累多項大型基建工程無法上馬，令建造業從業者面臨「冇工開」的困境，並累及整體經濟。
同時，鄰近地區的貨幣貶值，放寬對內地旅客簽證要求等，大大增加這些地區對內地旅客的吸引力，料必構成與本港搶客之勢。
如今的局面，既有挑戰亦有機遇，一方面樓價、租金有所下調，減輕企業經營成本，為本港發展新產業提供空間；另外，國家落實「十三五」規劃、「一帶一路」戰略，積極鼓勵和支持香港開發新優勢。
政府應主動擴闊本港經濟基礎，加強開拓海外市場，推進與內地全面合作；大力引導年輕人創業，以經濟誘因和優惠政策營造大眾創業的風氣，鼓勵年輕人努力創富，從而活躍經濟活動，創造就業機會。 （文匯報社評20-4-2016）
Economic diversity needed as unemployment rises
According to the figures released by the Census and Statistics Department, the latest unemployment rate in Hong Kong has risen by 0.1 percent to 3.4 percent, hitting a two-year high. Negative impacts on the labour market begin to surface as weaknesses linger in tourism, the construction industry and the retail sector.
The rise in unemployment is mainly seen in the construction industry and the retail sector, while the rise in underemployment is mainly seen in the construction industry and the catering sector. As the number of visitors continues to decline, the retail sector and consumption market are lacking in drive. Business closures and layoffs are expected to persist, pushing the sectors' unemployment rate even higher.
Relentless filibustering in the Legislative Council has delayed the roll-out of many large-scale infrastructure projects that are proposed by the government. This has caused job worries for construction workers and dragged down the whole economy.
Meanwhile, factors like depreciation of currencies and loosened visa requirements towards Chinese visitors are set to boost the competitiveness of rivals in the region, and mainland tourists might look elsewhere for vacations.
Despite the challenges ahead, there are also opportunities that are up for grasp. While property prices and rents cool down, operating expense for enterprises would drop and thus open up space for developing new industries. In addition, the national 13th Five-Year Plan and the Belt and Road Initiative would also encourage and support the development of Hong Kong's competitive edge.
The government should proactively look to broaden Hong Kong's economic base while accessing global markets and fostering cooperation with mainland China. Besides, it should encourage start-ups among the youth, while introducing economic incentives and favourable policies to nurture entrepreneurship among the public. Employment opportunities would be created when the economy is thriving with new business ventures.■Jeffrey Tse [ywc_jeffrey@hotmail.com]
Exercise
1. 拉布
2. 上馬
3. 「十三五」規劃
4. 創業精神/企業家精神
5. 競爭優勢
6. 就業不足率
7. 貨幣貶值
8. 「一帶一路」
9. 裁員
10. 第一季
Answer
1. Filibustering
2. Roll-out
3. 13th Five-Year Plan
4. Entrepreneurship
5. Competitive edge
6. Underemployment rate
7. Currency depreciation/devaluation
8. The Belt and Road Initiative
9. Layoffs
10. First quarter/ Q1
隔星期三見報
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