Washington, D.C. – Manufacturing gained 66,000 jobs in September, according to data released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics on Friday. Although it’s good to see some gains, the trade deficit in goods just hit a record high, and we could soon see a surge in COVID-19 cases, further hindering any recovery.
Alliance for American Manufacturing President Scott Paul said:
“All is not well in the manufacturing economy, as the record monthly goods trade deficit in August showed. Overall, job growth is slowing again. While employers are adding back some jobs, half of the workers laid off during the pandemic haven’t been rehired. This includes 647,000 factory workers still out of a job.
We need a more aggressive public health response in the short term to prevent a surge in COVID-19 cases, along with a stimulus measure to avoid further catastrophe, and we need bold and sustainable public investments in infrastructure to spur manufacturing demand.”
Scott Paul is available for interviews.
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