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Bureau of Labor Statistics
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) has released a report showing a single-month increase of nearly 1%.
Total nonfarm payroll employment fell by 701,000 in March, and the unemployment rate rose to 4.4%, according to BLS information. The leisure and hospitality industries were the hardest hit with a loss of 459,000 jobs, mainly in food services and drinking establishments. "Notable declines also occurred in health care and social assistance, professional and business services, retail trade and construction," reads the report.
While the total percentage increase amounted to 0.9%, according to the BLS, "This is the largest over-the-month increase in the rate since January 1975, when the increase was also 0.9 percentage point.
"The number of unemployed persons rose by 1.4 million to 7.1 million in March."
The report says, in the 12 months that came before the sharp employment fall, employment growth had averaged 196,000 per month.
Nationally, leisure and hospitality had the largest decrease with a loss of 459,000 positions. Health care and social assistance fell by 61,000; professional and business services decreased by 52,000; retail trade declined by 46,000; and construction lost 29,000 jobs.
The one area that saw an increase in employment was the federal government, which reflected the hiring of 17,000 workers for the 2020 Census.