Manufacturing employment remained sluggish in August, as the sector posted a meager 3,000 new jobs, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported on Friday. This follows disappointing jobs figures from July, when manufacturing gained 4,000 new jobs.
For comparison, 2018 saw factory job gains averaging 22,000 per month.
Alliance for American Manufacturing President Scott Paul said:
"Factory job growth has clearly stalled. Two very weak months of nominal jobs gains, coupled with Tuesday's ISM survey showing a contraction in manufacturing, indicate possible trouble on the horizon.
"It would be foolish to depend on President Trump shifting gears on his trade tactics with China, or on the Federal Reserve to continue to cut borrowing rates. There is, however, something that Congress and the president can do to provide a boost to our factories. A robust infrastructure investment package would create millions of jobs across the economy, including in manufacturing, and create new growth opportunities in local communities. And the best part is there's big-time support for infrastructure investment across party lines. It's time to get the job done."