Unemployment in Connecticut rose slightly to 8.9 percent in July after the federal government’s temporary employment of U.S. Census workers came to an end, according to a release from the Connecticut Department of Labor.
The unemployment number rose from 8.8 percent in June and increased from 8.5 percent in July 2009. National unemployment is 9.5 percent.
July unemployment in the Hartford labor market is 9.5 percent, up from 9.1 in June and 8.7 in July 2009.
Despite the rise in unemployment, private sector jobs increased to a total of 12,500 new jobs since December 2009. Total July 2010 unemployment is 1,620,100.
The bulk of job creation came mostly from the retail sector (1,400) followed by manufacturing (1,000) and construction (600). In job losses, following the government sector (2,900) are professional and business services (800) and education and health services (300).
“Indeed, the private sector accounts for all of the job gains realized during 2010,” said state Labor Statistics Supervisor Salvatore DiPillo in a statement. “Additionally, July was the first time since June 2008 that Connecticut saw a year-to-year growth in jobs, having added 1,500 jobs since July 2009.”
The state Department of Labor reports the average workweek in the private industry has grown to 33.4 hours, up from 33.3 hour in June and 33.0 hours in July 2009. Average hourly earnings in July decreased $0.09 from June to $27.74 but are up $0.10 from July 2009.
