Economy
Govt unveils HK$16.8bn relief package
The government has unveiled a new economic relief package costing HK$16.8 billion. The latest handouts include an extra HK$2,000 in tax rebates, and an extended waiver period for property rates and public housing rents.
Exco briefed on economic relief package
The government will announce details of its second round of economic relief measures this afternoon. The Financial Secretary, John Tsang, briefed Executive Councillors on the package this morning.
Job fair to offer 3,700 vacancies
The Labour Department will hold a job fair in Tsing Yi from May 25 to 27, offering 3,700 vacancies at 60 companies.
Pay freeze can help us out of this slump
The recent survey into private-sector pay trends has revealed falling salaries and, as a result, civil servants face the threat of paycuts.
Jobless rate climbs to 5.3%
The unemployment rate rose to 5.3% in the February-April period, from 5.2% in the January-March quarter, the Census & Statistics Department says. The underemployment rate nudged up from 2.1% to 2.2%.
Cutting it fine
Hong Kong's 160,000 civil servants may see their pay cut for the fourth time in seven years after a survey showed salary cuts of up to 5 percent in the private sector.
$10b relief as economy slides
Another package of relief measures - this one worth HK$10 billion - is about to be offered.
Future lies in no pain, no gain plan for HK
A pro-government think-tank has called for the development of a common Hong Kong, Taiwan and mainland market within the next 30 years despite possible short-term financial losses for the city.
Labor leaders threaten daily worker protests
Labor leaders are threatening to hold daily protests for two months unless the government meets their demands to protect workers' rights and tackle soaring unemployment.
Union says workers being exploited
Workers in some local fastfood chains outlets are paid as little as as $16 an hour.
Budget passes 2nd reading by 11 votes
The Legislative Council has given preliminary approval to the budget.
Liberal Party to support budget
The Government has moved closer to winning a majority for its budget.
HSBC fires 100 more
A new wave of firings is feared at financial institutions in Hong Kong after HSBC (0005) axed 100 staff from its private-banking division.
Jobless rate hits 5.2pc
Hong Kong's unemployment rate jumped to 5.2 percent in the three months ended March 31 - the highest level in more than three years.
Yam warns of more sackings to come
The head of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, Joseph Yam, has described last year's economic turmoil as "the worst in his lifetime".
Gravy train off tracks for finance graduates
The high-paying jobs for finance graduates are gone, at least for now, according to a survey.
Weak exports hit China's growth
Annual growth in China's gross domestic product (GDP) slowed in the first quarter of 2009 to 6.1%, the National Bureau of Statistics has announced.
Getting Real
Is crass consumption still cool, given our dire economic climate? John Robertson speaks to some of the city’s leading opinion makers to find out.
Group to discuss long-term strategy: CE
Chief Executive Donald Tsang says the task force on economic challenges will meet on Friday to discuss medium and long-term strategy to develop Hong Kong's economy. It will also study ways to promote the city's industries with high potential.
Mega events fund will be `money well spent'
The government will be mindful of the 2003 Harbour Fest fiasco when touting the HK$100 million Mega Events Fund, lawmakers were told yesterday.