Georgia jobless rate in double-digits again

ATLANTA - Georgia's jobles rate is up for the first time in eight months and is in double-digits again.

The Georgia Department of Labor (GDOL) reported today that the state's unemployment rate rose slightly to 10 percent in August, up one-tenth of a percentage point from 9.9 percent in July, primarily because of layoffs in retail trade and construction. The rate was also 10 percent in August 2009. This is the 35th consecutive month Georgia has exceeded the national unemployment rate, which is currently 9.6 percent.

"Georgia's job market remains stagnant," said State Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond. "Many employers are reluctant to hire because of the costs and risks associated with bringing on new employees. To help alleviate their concerns, we are expanding our Georgia Work$ training initiative. Effective Monday, Sept. 20, all jobless Georgians, not just unemployment insurance claimants, will be eligible to receive six weeks of on-the-job training from Georgia employers."

There were 220,000 long-term unemployed Georgians in August (those who have been out of work for 27 weeks or longer). This represents an increase of 86,900, or 65.3 percent, from 133,100 long-term unemployed in August 2009 and a decrease of 10,100 from July. The long-term unemployed now account for 47.1 percent of the 466,930 jobless workers in Georgia.