ATLANTA — The Georgia Department of Labor said the preliminary unadjusted unemployment rate in metro Atlanta rose to 10.3 percent in June.
That's half a point more than a revised 9.8 percent in May. The department said unemployed workers in the area increased to 273,405, up by 12,568.
The jobless rate in metro Atlanta in June 2009 was 10.2 percent. The U.S Department of Labor reports that Georgia lost more jobs from June 2009 to June 2010 than any other state but California.
This is the 33rd consecutive month Georgia has exceeded the national unemployment rate, which is now 9.5 percent.
"This latest federal report further emphasizes the severity of the crisis facing Georgia's economy, as our job market shows signs of renewed deterioration", said State Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond.
A sharp increase in the number of discouraged workers, rising long-term unemployment, increased new layoffs, and anemic job growth suggests that the fledgling economic recovery may be losing steam, according to Thurmond.
WSBTV
