Georgia’s jobless rate falls slightly to 9.9% as discouraged workers give up search
Georgia’s unemployment rate fell slightly to 9.9 percent in July from 10 percent in June, as discouraged workers gave up their job search so they are no longer counted as unemployed, the state labor department reported Thursday.
“Although the unemployment rate remained virtually unchanged, a growing number of discouraged workers dropped out of the workforce,” state Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond said in a statement. “For the second consecutive month, the number of jobs in our state declined, new layoffs increased and long-term unemployment continued to rise.”
There were 230,100 long-term unemployed Georgians in July — those who have been out of work for 27 weeks or longer, the labor department said. This represents an increase of 90 percent from July 2009.
The long-term unemployed now account for 49.8 percent of the 462,372 jobless workers in Georgia. That’s one out of two people searching for a job.
During the past two months, Georgia’s labor force has declined by more than 40,000 as discouraged workers dropped out, the labor department said. This is the first time since 2001 that Georgia has experienced significant reductions in the labor force for two consecutive months.
The number of payroll jobs in July fell six-tenths of a percentage point in July from June, the labor department said.
A total of 68,089 laid-off workers filed initial claims for unemployment insurance benefits in July — an increase of 5.1 percent from June. Most of the first-time claims were filed in manufacturing, wholesale and retail trade, administrative and support services, and construction.
This is the 34th consecutive month Georgia has exceeded the national unemployment rate, which is currently at 9.5 percent.
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119 comments Add your comment
Montel
August 19th, 2010
6:52 pm
People of color are hurt worse from this recession than other people due to the lack of opportunities for African-Americans and the racial bias against hiring anyone that is not white. Obama needs to do something to create more jobs for minorities soon. If i can’t find a job soon in atlanta, I may move back to New Jersey.
kwindcolorado
August 19th, 2010
11:36 pm
I was laid off in March 2008 and have been unemployed since then. Who is telling the government/labor reporting agencies that people have given up looking for a job? I have ACTIVELY been seeking employment since the day I was laid off – along with thousands of other people. This is not a vacation and IS NOT FUN. I received severance and had money in a savings account and had a 401K. Now I have nothing (including no furniture or anything to show for all my years of working). I have been working for the past 36 of 38 years and this is the first time I’ve ever been unemployed. It has never taken me more than 2 weeks to find another job. The majority of people that are unemployed that I know are over 50 and I believe ARE BEING DISCRIMINATED AGAINST BECAUSE OF THEIR AGE, QUALIFICATIONS AND PAST SALARY (having salaries that are actually a “living” wage). I have sent over 3,000 resumes to 7 different states (the other states aren’t in any better shape than the one that I’m in)- no response. To the people that say, “You’re just a loser – you’re not trying….”, just wait – you will have your turn and you will find out what it is like. Show some compassion or it won’t be shown to you.
bNformedNvolved
August 19th, 2010
11:57 pm
And the DOL is a joke. I want to take a certification class in the area of Sustainability which everyone claims is the next big industry and b/c it is only offered online, DOL will not consider paying for it as they do other certifications. And before any of you Nelly negatives chime in…if I could afford to pay for it myself… I would!
I had a 50-60 year old suit/tie wearing manager tell me that HE makes the decisions as to who gets approved for certification classes and HE doesn’t believe taking classes online can be properly monitored.
They are attempting to address 21st century issues with 19th century thinking which renders them ineffective.
C
August 20th, 2010
6:12 am
I have been reading some of these comments, and I cannot believe how BLIND people really are! It is so appalling! You know who really caused you all to be unemployed? The Corporations who own the banks, manufactories, and such. Ha! They even own YOU because you allowed them to and that is the FACT! Even the right-wing politicians also helped caused this problem since they are so pro Big Business by deregulating the companies and give the companies the green light to outsource the jobs! By the way for some of you, STOP BLAMING THE MEXICANS! Mexicans did not steal your jobs, and they did not cause the wages to go down. So grow the hell up you racist cretins!
Hey! Where was the outrage during the Reagan, Bush Sr., Clinton, and George W. Bush days when all this de-regulations, NAFTA’s and all the crazy things were going on? Were you people asleep at those times? Were you too busy living in your falsehood called the “American Dream” where you have to be a sleep to believe it?
These days even if you have a job by working for someone, does it make you feel like you are better off than others? Not really. Why? Because you are not making decent salaries, you are working longer hours, having less vacation time, maybe no benefits, being under more control by your bosses, and have no proper healthcare! Speaking of healthcare next year big companies will increase the cost of health insurance for their workers at 9%, and it will come out of the workers’ pockets! That’s one of the reasons we need Socialized Healthcare in America. If you right-wingers do not like that, well good luck in paying high cost healthcare like so-called “PROUD AMERICANS.” For the gentleman who moved here from Chicago, what is so great about having 3 jobs? Good luck in over-stressing yourself! Sure, I hear people say, “In order to get a job, you have to have good skills and blah, blah..” Yeah right, tell that to those who have good skills but still are not getting hired in a job based on their skin color, gender, sexual orientation, etc. Heck! There are employers that would not hire the unemployed!
When will you people ever going to wake up from the so-called “American Dream?” Never?
Palin fan
August 20th, 2010
9:58 am
These unemployed people just need the gumption to get off their butts and go apply themselves. If they looked hard enough and are willing to work hard, they could find jobs. Or even better, create your own job by starting your own corporation and being your own boss.
Lazy people is the problem – not the economy.
The Truth Czar
August 20th, 2010
12:48 pm
Obama-nomics: “When all Americans are unemployed, only then will we have true equality in America.” (The real Hope and Change liberals believe in.)
tired of no job
August 20th, 2010
4:54 pm
Palin Fan- you are completely out of touch!! Let’s hope you never lose your job if you do you will be in for a very rude awakening.
S
August 20th, 2010
8:57 pm
I don’t care what Political party you favor, but to favor a party that includes people that hate this much(The Larry’s, Mike Jones) can you REALLY imagine a Political party like this, being in charge of our great Nation? Of course, if they listen to the Rush’s, Beck’s, Hannity’s, and Faux Nuz, is it any wonder they hate!
Borrow more money!
August 20th, 2010
10:23 pm
The chinese have plenty of cash to loan the government to bail out more big corporations like AIG and GM. It will trickle down to “regular” people one day.
R
August 21st, 2010
9:17 am
There are jobs to be had out there, but many of you aren’t willing to swallow your pride and take a job you consider “beneath” you and consider taking less pay. I lost my job and found another right away making roughly HALF of my previous pay. I always lived well below my means and stocked away lots of money into savings. Now that I am underemployed, I am not saving much but I am living comfortably. Don’t expect sympathy when the overwhelming majority are employed and getting by.
Companies are not going to start hiring until confidence in our federal government returns. If you think back, our economy was in freefall as soon as Obama was elected. That is when companies started shutting down (as my company did in early 2009) and really holding back. Things will start getting better in November IF we get some of these Democrats out of office. The kick start won’t fully happen until 2012, when Obama is finally out of power. The banks, large corporations, and small business will finally have confidence and the money will start flowing and jobs will be created.
We all are to blame for the demise of this economy, but you have to admit that Obama’s actions (ObamaCare, spending) and inactions are holding our recovery back. The powers that be and those that hold the bulk of the wealth in this country have NO FAITH in Obama or his policies.
MR. NADS
August 21st, 2010
11:09 am
The problem is in Washington and your black regime. This tool is bring us down, day by day, dollar by dollar and you are too damn stupid to see it.
When he takes all you have, don’t look stupid(you already do) and akes ‘what happened’….
You put his arse in there, live with it…
LISTEN TO FOX NEWS AND GET A CLUE !!!!
GLENN BECK
August 21st, 2010
12:19 pm
MR. NADS, thank you for supporting Fox News.
I’ll be in DC next week end amongst hundreds of thousands that will take back our once great nation.
Your opinion is shared by myself and by all US christian citizens.
Hope to see you there.
Glenn B.
GLENN BECK
August 21st, 2010
12:20 pm
Enter your comments here
Bu Bar
August 21st, 2010
2:05 pm
You can get a job if you want one. Eight dollars an hour.Good pay picking up potatoes. You have to bend and scoop, like the Mexicans do.
John Rocker(former Braves pitcher)
August 21st, 2010
6:25 pm
BuBar, I need info on job you refered to above.If I take it maybe the Mexicano’s will go home.
TACO-TEEKO !!
John Rocker(former Braves pitcher)
August 21st, 2010
7:36 pm
S….. A little advice to you. FOX NEWS offers no-spin REAL accounting about what is going on around you. If you do NOT give a damn, well pity to you.
Keep drinking the ‘black’ kool-aid, stay thirsty my friend.(twit)
John Rocker(former Braves pitcher)
August 21st, 2010
7:39 pm
R …..
Hits the nail on the head. Bet he/she watches informative news(wonder who ‘’s”).
Mr Brightside
August 22nd, 2010
10:19 am
I should be given a millions dollars by the government is my suggestion
No jobs
August 22nd, 2010
10:23 pm
I gave up looking 3 months ago—there are no jobs worth taking. Getting unemployment is easier than working some low rent job at a mall with all that rif raf until the economy improves.