|
 Printer-Friendly Version
OPA News Release: [09/02/2005]
Contact Name:
Lisa Kruska
Phone Number: (202) 693-4676
Release Number: 05-1667-NAT
Statement of U.S. Labor Secretary Elaine L. Chao
On August Employment Numbers
WASHINGTON—U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao issued
the following statement on the August employment situation released today:
“The national unemployment rate is 4.9%, the lowest since August 2001.
Our country is facing the challenge of Hurricane Katrina from a position
of economic strength. Our economy has seen 27 straight months of job growth.
Net job growth has averaged about 194,000 per month, which has been above
forecasts. It is also significant that the unemployment rate fell last
month while the labor force participation rate rose, meaning a higher
percentage of the population is working.”
| 
