August 27, 2020
Mass. unemployment claims show little signs of improvement
Photo | Grant Welker
Installation of light towers at Worcester's Polar Park has been a sign of ongoing economic activity despite the coronavirus pandemic and recession.
By Riley Garand
Unemployment claims filed since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic have increased to 1.23 million in Massachusetts, according to the U.S Department of Labor data released Thursday.
There were 17,157 new claims made throughout the week ending Aug. 22, a slight improvement of 27 claims compared to the prior week. The Labor Department on Thursday adjusted the number of claims made the week ending Aug. 15 from 16,709 to 17,184.
Massachusetts Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development data for the week ending of Aug. 22 was not available Thursday morning.
In the week ending Aug. 15, claims from food and accommodation industries increased from 1,070 on Aug. 8 to 1,389; health and social assistance claims increased from 1,558 to 1,862, retail increased from 1,314 to 1,546, manufacturing increased from 891 to 1,028, and professional and technical services increased from 1,113 to 1,206.
Also notably, construction claims increased from 808 to 995, education increased from 638 to 682, and administrative and waste services increased from 1,000 to 1,097.
The latest unemployment numbers came after Gov. Charlie Baker's suspended the reopening of the economy amid a spike in coronavirus cases in late July and early August. Among other measures, he decreased the allowed outdoor gathering size to 50 from 100.
Nationally, unemployment claims continue to remain high with another 1 million filled last week. The new claims are a slight decrease from the prior week's 1.1 million, and bring the total claims filed since the beginning of the pandemic to 59.3 million.
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Anonymous
August 27, 2020
Thank you, Governor Baker for doing your best to keep the unemployment numbers as high as possible!
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