07/15/2021
CT Dept. Of Labor: Unemployment Down Slightly To 7.9%
(Wethersfield, CT) – Today, the Connecticut Department of Labor (CTDOL) reported that the state continues to show signs of economic recovery after the pandemic eliminated 292,400 jobs during March and April of 2020. The monthly labor data reports June unemployment continued to tick down, now at 7.9%; an additional 11,000 people entered the labor force; and the state added 3,500 jobs.
CTDOL Interim Commissioner Danté Bartolomeo said, “The economy is showing resilience and so is Connecticut’s workforce. After reaching a high of 392,000 weekly unemployment filers in May 2020, we are now at 165,000 weekly filers and those numbers are trending down. We have a long way to go—in a normal year we have about 40,000 claimants filing each week—but the labor numbers and the filing numbers are going in the right direction.”
Topline points from the June report:
- Connecticut added 3500 jobs in June; May’s job gains were revised up to 8100 from 7800.
- Connecticut has recovered 64.6% of the 292,400 jobs lost in March and April of 2020.
- Four of 10 supersectors had gains while six declined.
CTDOL Director of the Office of Research Patrick Flaherty said, “Private sector jobs are up 8,100 over two months as the uneven monthly pattern continues. Even with some recent weakness, Construction and Retail Trade have regained 70% or more of the jobs lost during the pandemic. The same is true for Management of Companies, Accommodation & Food Services, and private Education which have added jobs in each of the past two months.”
Last month, the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics estimated the May 2021 unemployment rate at 7.7% with 7800 job gains. The revised numbers indicate that the unemployment rate was 8.1% and unchanged from the month before, however, job numbers were also revised up to 8100 jobs added. The increased unemployment rate in May likely signals additional workers entering the job market.
Economist Patrick Flaherty released the following videos about the report:
#DOLDaily June 2021 Labor Report Major Takeaways
https://youtu.be/7xOX6w-Rd60
#DOLDaily June 2021 Labor Report Additional Takeaways
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Media Contact:
CTDOL Communications Unit
200 Folly Brook Boulevard, Wethersfield, CT 06109-1114
Email: CTDOL.SocialMedia@ct.gov | http://www.ct.gov/dol