A job seeker, wearing mask to protect herself from catching the
flu-like Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), checks the listing
at a Labour Department job centre in Hong Kong April 15, 2003. Hong
Kong's unemployment rate edged to 7.5 percent in January to March
period on a seasonally adjusted basis from 7.4 percent in
December-February, the government said on Tuesday. The jobless rate was
marginally above forecasts for 7.45 percent. However, the territory is
braced for more job losses in coming months. The deadly SARS virus,
which hit the territory last month, takes its toll on consumer spending
and tourism. Some economists forecast the jobless rate will top last
summer's record high of 7.8 percent and hit eight percent. REUTERS/Kin
Cheung

KC/CC