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OPA News Release: [12/06/2002]
Contact Name: Sue
Hensley
Phone Number: (202) 693-4676
Statement of U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao on
Unemployment Numbers for November 2002
WASHINGTON—U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao issued the
following statement today on the unemployment rate of 6.0 percent in
November.
“November’s unemployment rate rose to 6.0 percent from the
previous month’s 5.7 percent level, which is disappointing. The rate has
remained between 5.5 and 6.0 percent since last November, following the attacks
of September 11th.
“Non-farm payroll employment fell by 39,000 jobs, essentially
unchanged. However, new claims for jobless benefits fell to their lowest level
in 21 months yesterday, down by a seasonally adjusted 13,000 to 355,000. This
mixed news indicates that the economy is soft but stable, and underscores the
need to encourage economic growth.
“As the President has said, the best way to help workers is to
create new jobs. The terrorism insurance bill, signed by the President last
week, is estimated to create tens of thousands of new jobs. Making the tax cuts
permanent is also critical to helping stimulate the economy.”
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