Official: State Job Market Soft

State Labor Commissioner Mark Butler said Wednesday that 35,038 laid-off workers in metro Atlanta filed initial claims for unemployment insurance benefits in January, an increase of 3,719, or 11.9 percent, from 31,319 in December. Most of the increase in claims came in manufacturing and construction. But, there was a decline of 5,434, or 13.4 percent, from 40,472 claims filed in January 2010.

In Bartow County, initial claims were up 285, or 31.3 percent, from 911 in December. But the 1,196 initial claims in January were down from the same time last year by 381 or 24.2 percent.

Of the 14 major metropolitan areas in the state, only Columbus, Rome and Savannah reported decreases in initial claims filed from December to January, however 12 of the 14 showed over-the-year decreases.

Statewide, 89,659 laid-off workers filed initial claims for unemployment insurance benefits in January, an increase of 14,024, or 18.5 percent, from 75,635 filed in December. But, there was a decline of 5,605, or 5.9 percent, from 95,264 filed in January 2010.

Much of the over-the-month increase in statewide claims occurred in manufacturing, construction, administrative and support services, and trade.

“Most of these were seasonal layoffs that occur each year,” said Butler. “However, I am concerned that the number of long-term unemployed Georgians continues to increase. This is a sure sign that the state’s job market remains soft.”

There were 262,700 long-term unemployed Georgians in January (those who have been out of work for 27 weeks or longer). This represents an increase of 84,100, or 47.1 percent, from 178,600 in January 2010.