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FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Tammy Cavender (573)
751-7500
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 26, 2006
Missouri’s Job Growth Contributes to Decline in New Unemployment Claims Filed
Jefferson City, MO – Missouri has experienced another month of declining initial unemployment insurance claims filed by unemployed workers. According to a report from the Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations’ Division of Employment Security, fewer Missourians filed initial unemployment insurance claims in August.
In August 2006, the number of initial unemployment claims filed was 24,615, a decrease of four percent from 25,650 claims filed in August 2005. For the same period, 228,189 weekly claims were filed, up slightly from last year’s figure of 227,920.
“Missouri’s job growth continued to excel in August,” said Rod Chapel, director of the Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations. “Since taking office in January of 2005, Missouri has created 54,800 new jobs under Gov. Matt Blunt’s leadership.”
Missouri experienced an increase in August in construction (1,400), professional and business services (1,000) and government (5,300) according to the Missouri Department of Economic Development. While the unemployment rate increased slightly from 4.7 to 5.1 in August, previous months have shown declining rates and the continued reduction in initial claims demonstrates the economy remains strong.
The Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations is responsible for providing unemployment benefits to workers who become unemployed through no fault of their own. Eligible individuals may qualify for up to 26 weeks of unemployment compensation.
Unemployed Missourians may file for benefits by phone or via the Internet at www.moclaim.com.
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Information and Planning · 421 East Dunklin
· P.O. Box 504 · Jefferson City, MO
65102-0504
573-751-7500 · 573-751-6552 (Fax)
Relay Missouri: 1-800-735-2966 (TDD) 1-800-735-2466 (Voice)