Macao saw a 3.1-percent unemployment rate in the statistic term between May and July, 0.1 percent up over the previous period from April to June, according to official statistics issued Wednesday.

The figures from the government-run Statistics and Census Service showed that the jobless rate in the May-July term decreased 0.9 percent over the same period of 2006.

Macao's total labor force was estimated at 310,700 in the period, the figures showed.

The special administrative region has a population of 520,000.

100 illegal laborers detained in July in Macao

The Macao police have nabbed 100 illegal imported laborers in July, according to official statistics issued Wednesday.

The figures released by the Labor Affairs Bureau (LAB) showed that the police in the month conducted 49 raids on 67 construction sites and made 1,468 identification checks.

The employment of illegal workers is a crime that incurs hefty fines and imprisonment in case of repeat offenders. Illegally employed workers are customarily ordered to leave Macao.

Macao's number of illegally imported laborers has been on the rise in recent years.

(Xinhua News Agency August 30, 2007)