News release, Apr. 13, 2006A

Georgia

Department of Labor

NEWS RELEASE

SUITE 642



(404) 232-3685

148 INTERNATIONAL BOULEVARD, N.E.



ATLANTA, GA 30303-1751



FAX (404) 657-9996

Communications@dol.state.ga.us

Michael Thurmond
Commissioner

Sam Hall
Director of Communications

April 13, 2006...........................................................FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Georgia's initial unemployment insurance claims rise in March

ATLANTA - The Georgia Department of Labor announced today that 31,383 laid-off workers filed first-time claims for unemployment insurance benefits in March, up 5.1 percent from February. The claims were up mostly in the service-related industries.
Initial claims were up from 30,477 filed in March 2005 for an over-the-year increase of 3.0 percent. Initial claims are considered to be a leading economic indicator, because they measure newly laid-off workers.
The 14 metro areas of the state and the changes in their initial claims from February to March are as follows:
Albany, up 90, or 16.5 percent, from 546 to 636. Athens, up 52, or 10.6 percent, from 491 to 543. Atlanta, down 931, or 6.5 percent, from 14,339 to 13,408. Augusta, up 178, or 19.5 percent, from 913 to 1,091. Brunswick, down 11, or 4.4 percent, from 252 to 241. Columbus, up 134, or 20.2 percent, from 665 to 799. Dalton, up 74, or 8.0 percent, from 929 to 1,003. Gainesville, down 107, or 20.3 percent, from 526 to 419. Hinesville, up 42, or 47.2 percent, from 89 to 131. Macon, up 297, or 32.4 percent, from 916 to 1,213. Rome, up 104, or 24 percent, from 434 to 538. Savannah, up 119, or 21.1 percent, from 565 to 684. Valdosta, down 39, or 11.2 percent, from 348 to 309. Warner Robins, down 32, or 9.3 percent, from 344 to 312.
Georgia labor market data are not seasonally adjusted and are available at www.dol.state.ga.us.
NEWS MEDIA NEEDING MORE INFORMATION MAY CALL (404) 232-3685. TABLES AND GRAPHS REFLECTING LABOR MARKET DATA ARE AVAILABLE AT http://www.dol.state.ga.us/pr/current_data.htm
CY-06-123

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