Hunt for jobs takes longer

[mhr]

Long-term rate worst since '83; loss of aid adds to pain

By Michael Oneal and T. Shawn Taylor
Tribune staff reporters
Published March 5, 2004

As the nation's 8 million jobless wait for evidence that a growing economy will finally lead to robust hiring, one thing is already clear: Long-term joblessness is the worst it's been in this country for more than 20 years.

According to a new study by the Economic Policy Institute, a Washington, D.C., think tank, 22.1 percent of all unemployed workers were out of work for six months or more in 2003--the worst annual rate since 1983.

And a growing number of those long-term job seekers were people with lots of experience and plenty of education, raising more questions about the loss of highly paid work during the nation's persistent "jobless recovery."

"What this shows," said EPI economist Sylvia Allegretto, "is not that young, uneducated people are doing better. It's that older, better educated people are joining them ."

Snip ......

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-0403050269mar05,1,4018114.story

[brokensymmetry]

1. Not to worry...

the pResident just talked to a businessman on television. The guy is thinking of hiring two new people! :bounce:

That'll solve the problem....

[UpInArms]

2. more voodoo economics

and look where we are - a blast to the past -

deficits and debts that will burden future generations

:puke:

I remember '83 and it didn't get better until '93.