RI unemployment rises to 12.4 percent
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Business Talk: RI Unemployment
Laura Hart, Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training.
Published: July 17, 2009
Updated: July 17, 2009
PROVIDENCE—Layoffs in government and the hospitality industry pushed Rhode Island’s unemployment rate to 12.4 percent in June, the worst statewide numbers in more than 30 years, according to a state survey released Friday.
Rhode Island’s jobless rate has skyrocketed since June 2008, when it stood at 7.7 percent. It far exceeded the national unemployment rate of 9.5 percent last month.
The ranks of the unemployed in Rhode Island grew by 2,300 people since May to reach 70,700.
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Recent statistics suggest the rate of job losses may be slowing.
An average of 700 people per month lost their jobs during the second quarter, compared to 2,100 average monthly job losses during the first quarter.
Layoffs continued last month in the accommodation and food services sector and in the government sector, which combined have lost 1,200 jobs since May. Lawmakers passed a state budget in June
that contained big funding cuts for city and town governments, leading to layoffs.
About 300 manufacturing workers lost their jobs, while another 200 positions disappeared in the construction industry. Job gains were reported in retail trade, educational services, finance and professional and business services.
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Reader Reactions
Remember, Sheldon and Jack are puppets of the Administration. They have been instructed “how to vote” and “What to say”. This is who we elect.
Wait! Wait! Someone can’t count! Didn’t Sheldon promise us 12,000 new jobs under the stimulus program???? This report has to be WRONG! Sheldon wouldn’t lie!
Nanny is right… as soon as I graduate from Bryant, I’m out of this hopeless state. The mindless voters in this state consistently reelect the idiots in our state senate. “Now is not the time to reduce corporate tax”.. of course not, why would we want to bring jobs to RI and curb the unemployment rate.
I have a great Idea:
Let’s take $360,000 and apply it to curbing underage drinking. Makes sence to me!
Posted by ( mikeas1 ) on July 17, 2009 at 8:25 am
does the 12.4% include the private contractors that dont collect
No it does not.
Nor does it count people who have exhausted their benefits.
The DET should do a follow up on those people and find out how many have found work. or would that double the current rate.
What would George Washington do?
does the 12.4% include the private contractors that dont collect
How much longer is it going to be before our political wingnuts realize that businesses are leaving RI because of the extremely high corporate taxes? Businesses cannot afford to remain open when too much of their revenue goes to the state! We, as individuals, would not tolerate it - we would go elsewhere which is exactly what businesses are doing.
How’s this “transparency” and “change” workin’ out for ya?
Every month I hear the same “unemploymnet is leveling off”. Has anyone remembered all the school closings? When the teachers start to file, which they are only just beginning to do, don’t you think the rate will move even higher? What level off?
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