 |
|
||||||
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Tammy Cavender (573)
751-7500
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 22, 2006
Thirty Percent Decrease in Unemployment Claims Filed
Jefferson City, MO – Missouri has experienced another month of declining initial and weekly 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 and weekly unemployment insurance claims in July.
In July 2006, the number of initial unemployment claims filed was 29,086, a decrease of 30 percent from 37,708 claims filed in July 2005. For the same period, 188,754 weekly claims were filed, down 14 percent from last year’s figure of 214,930. Over the past 12 months, the number of initial unemployment claims decreased from 435,409 to 391,046, or 11 percent. The number of weekly unemployment claims dropped 17 percent, from 3,066,608 to 2,618,315.
“Governor Blunt has focused state policies on creating jobs and reducing unemployment,” said Rod Chapel, director of the Missouri Department of Labor. “Job growth over the past year has been very healthy in Missouri and as a result, fewer unemployment claims are being filed.”
The state’s unemployment rate dipped below the national average, remaining unchanged at 4.7 percent in July. The manufacturing industry had the largest employment gain, up 4,600 jobs in July.
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 at (800) 320-2519 or via the Internet at www.moclaim.com.
###
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)