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The
Georgia Department of Labor announced Thursday that 59,090
laid-off workers filed first-time claims for unemployment
insurance benefits in August, an increase of 72.1 percent from
August of 2007. From July to August, the initial claims declined
from 59,165, a drop of one-tenth of one percent.
The
numbers for the Metro Macon area were up 817 or 91.3% while Warner
Robins was up 285 or 92.5%.
“The
August increase is the largest over-the year increase in initial
claims since October of 2001 when we began experiencing
significant layoffs following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks,”
said State Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond.
“Throughout
the state, tens of thousands of hardworking Georgians are being
laid off because of deteriorating economic conditions” Thurmond
continued. “The Georgia Department of Labor is committed to
doing everything we can to provide assistance and support through
these difficult times.”
During
the past year, layoffs have come across-the-board in
manufacturing, construction, trade and services. And, the total
number of individuals receiving unemployment insurance benefits
was up 39 percent over the year, from 57,704 in August of 2007 to
80,150 in August of 2008.
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