BALTIMORE (12/18/09) - Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation Secretary Alexander M. Sanchez
announced that Maryland's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate rose slightly in November to a preliminary
seasonally-adjusted rate of 7.4 percent, compared with 7.3 percent in October. The unemployment rate in
Maryland continues to be substantially below the national rate, which was 10.0 percent in November.
The monthly increase was primarily due to approximately 16,000 people entering or re-entering the
labor market during the month. Employment, while advancing, lagged slightly behind the growth in the
labor force, causing the number of unemployed to rise by about 4,500.
"People enter or re-enter the labor force in substantial numbers when they have some confidence
they can find a job, which could be a positive sign going forward," Secretary Sanchez said. "While
recovery is still uneven, we continue to see job growth in some sectors, and that is also encouraging."
The number of jobs on Maryland payrolls declined by 1,900 during the month. Significant hiring in
professional, scientific and technical services, administrative and support services, and durable
goods manufacturing was offset by declines in trade, leisure and hospitality, and government.
Maryland's payrolls have lost approximately 40,800 jobs in the last 12 months, though that
year-over-year decline has narrowed substantially in recent months.
The state's unemployment rate was 5.1 percent in November 2008.
County unemployment numbers will be available at DLLR website
beginning Monday, Dec. 28. Unemployed Marylanders are encouraged to visit
our
website to find their local One- Stop Career Center.
Yesterday, Governor O'Malley announced a plan to offer $83 million in unemployment insurance tax relief to small
business owners, and reform unemployment insurance laws to allow the State to access $126.8 million in federal dollars
to shore up its unemployment insurance trust fund this year. The Governor's plan comes just weeks after announcing two
initiatives designed to create jobs and strengthen small businesses as the State transitions from recession through
recovery to prosperity. The Governor announced earlier this month a proposal to establish a temporary $3,000 tax credit for Maryland
businesses to hire unemployed workers as well as a proposal to expand existing loan guarantee programs to increase
access to credit for small businesses.
Maryland Employment Situation
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