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P.R.’s January workforce lowest in 28 years

Puerto Rico’s workforce fell to 41.4 percent in January 2011, representing the lowest participation rate recorded for the month of January since 1983, when the number reached 40.7 percent, the Labor Department informed Friday.

The agency disclosed that the unemployment rate for January 2011 reached 15.7 percent, showing almost no change when compared to the 15.8 percent on record for the same month a year ago. When compared to December, the figure reflected a drop of one percentage point.
When broken down, the agency’s statistics show that in January, Puerto Rico had 203,000 unemployed residents — or 16,000 more than in the prior month — which is considered “normal” as a result of temporary jobs typically created during the holiday season, said Labor Secretary Miguel Romero.
Meanwhile, the number of people employed in January 2011 totaled 1,087,000, or 26,000 fewer people than reported during the same month in 2010.
Romero said the drop in unemployment year-over-year, despite there being more people out of work, is explained by the shrinking workforce.
Author Details
Author Details
Business reporter with 30 years of experience writing for weekly and daily newspapers, as well as trade publications in Puerto Rico. My list of former employers includes Caribbean Business, The San Juan Star, and the Puerto Rico Daily Sun, among others. My areas of expertise include telecommunications, technology, retail, agriculture, tourism, banking and most other segments of Puerto Rico’s economy.
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1 Comment

  1. Anonymous February 28, 2011

    Miguel Romero,,,PR unemployed 203,000 or 16,000 more is "NORMAL"….AND 1,087,000 or 26,000 fewer people "explained by the shrinking workforce" boy it sounds like if its OK for you and the government. God help us if you and yours remain for much longer with your excuses, please get me a JOB…

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