By Sandy

cunningham

L’Observateur

The unemployment rate was up in the River Parishes from November to December, according to the latest civilian labor force statistics released by the Louisiana Workforce Commission.

St. John the Baptist Parish’s unemployment rate rose from 7.5 percent in November to 8.7 percent, or 2,025 workers, in December. The unemployment rate in St. Charles Parish rose from 5.6 percent in November to 6.2 percent, or 1,659 workers, in December, and the unemployment rate in St. James Parish rose from 9.2 percent in November to 10.5 percent, or 982 workers, in December. A year ago, the unemployment rate in St. John Parish was 6.6 percent, the rate in St. Charles Parish was 4.9 percent, and the rate in St. James Parish was 8.7 percent.

The state unemployment rate in December was 7.5 percent, while the national rate was 10 percent.

The lowest unemployment rate in the state was in Lafourche Parish with 5 percent, and the highest unemployment rate was in West Carroll Parish with 18.6 percent.

From November to December statewide, six of the 11 industry sectors had decreases in employment, three saw gains, and two were unchanged. The largest gain in the month was in both education and health services and leisure and hospitality. After trade, transportation and utilities, the largest declines in the month were in construction, which lost 1,600 jobs, and manufacturing, which lost 1,100 jobs. Professional and business services, other services and government all saw declines of 700 jobs. Both mining and logging and financial activities showed no change from November.

The civilian labor force statistics are estimated from a residential-based sample survey.