HONG KONG, April 23 -- The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate of Hong Kong stood at 3.3 percent in January - March 2015, same as that in December 2014 - February 2015, the Census and Statistics Department announced Thursday.

The department said total employment in January - March 2015 decreased by around 6,400 to 3,801,100 from 3,807,500 in December 2014 - February 2015. Over the same period, the labor force remains the same as about 3,929,300.

The number of unemployed persons (not seasonally adjusted) increased by around 5,500 from 121,800 in December 2014 - February 2015 to 127,300 in January - March 2015. Over the same period, the number of underemployed persons decreased by around 3,800 to 53, 500 from 57,300 in December 2014 - February 2015.

Commenting on the latest unemployment figures, Hong Kong's Secretary for Labor and Welfare Matthew Cheung Kin-chung said, " The labor market remained broadly stable in January - March 2015, with the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate staying at the low level of 3.3 percent for the ninth consecutive period. Both total employment and labor force attained further year-on-year growth."

On the short-term outlook, Cheung said that the near-term employment outlook will continue to hinge on the overall economic situation and business sentiment. "In view of the recent moderation in visitor spending, we need to observe carefully its potential impact on the employment situation of relevant sectors."