HONG KONG -- Hong Kong's workers are so frightened of losing their jobs in an ailing economy that they are not even taking time off when ill, a study has shown. "The working population neglects their health due to the economic downturn," said the study issued by Watsons, a chain of chemist stores. "They don't wish to affect the evaluation of their boss."

Over 70 percent of the 600-plus respondents who suffered from cold or flu in the past three months said they did not take sick leave despite feeling ill.

Hong Kong's unemployment stood at 7.2 percent in the last quarter of 2002. (Reuters)