The number of US workers filing for unemployment benefits for the first time is on the rise. According to data released by the US Department of Labor, initial jobless claims increased by 3 to 2.000 in the week ending September 414.000. This is a different number from what analysts expected, who had predicted a rise of 1.000 units. The news came just on the day that President Barack Obama presented his plan to support employment.
Last week's figure was revised up from 409.000 to 412.000. The four-week average, on the other hand, grew by 3.750 units to 414.750 units. A positive sign is due to the fact that the total number of workers receiving unemployment benefits for more than a week - the latest data dates back to August 27 - dropped by 30.000 units to 3.717.000 units. The unemployment rate for uninsured workers remained unchanged at 3%.
