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Archived News Release--Caution: information may be out of date.

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Office of Public Affairs

OPA Press Release: Statement by the Secretary [08/19/1998]

For more information call: (202) 606-5902

The Bureau of Labor Statistics' latest Worker Displacement Survey is good news for America's workers. Not only has this Administration created over 16 million new jobs, but the Bureau reports today that the number of workers losing their jobs has declined as well. From January 1995 to December 1997, the number of displaced workers was down 14%, from 4.2 million in the previous survey, to 3.6 million workers. Even when job loss occurred, three out of four workers were able to find a new job with the same or better earnings.

While this positive trend is encouraging, the survey also shows that one-fourth of displaced workers experienced earnings losses of 20% or more. That is why the Department's programs and grants to assist dislocated workers are so important. This administration is committed to ensuring that those who lose their jobs, through no fault of their own, are able to get the skills and retraining needed to find good jobs and get their careers back on track as soon as possible.

This report is encouraging and shows we are on the right course. But we must continue our efforts if we are to remain competitive in the new global economy and ensure all of our workers are prepared to participate and share in this growing economy.

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Editor's Note: Copies of the Worker Displacement, 1995-1997 Survey can be obtained by calling (202) 608-5886. They can be picked up at Room 2860 at 2 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W. It can also be obtained on the Internet at http://stats.bls.gov/news.release/disp.toc.htm

Archived News Release--Caution: information may be out of date.