According to figures released last week by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the national unemployment rate rose to 6.2 percent in July.
The unemployment rate for Latinos remained higher at 7.8 percent, unchanged from June.
Also, more Latinos are leaving the workforce than are entering, as the labor participation rate fell to 65.9 percent.
The so-called “real unemployment rate,” which includes discouraged workers and those forced to accept part time work, is closer to 18 percent for all workers.
In fact, the number of jobs added in the last month closely tracks the number of newly unemployed, showing the economy continues to make little progress toward creating economic opportunity for struggling families.
This all comes against the backdrop of an increasing number of mass layoffs by large companies.
“Latinos will find little to like in today’s unemployment report. More are dropping out of the workforce, and many are accepting part-time work because there are no full-time positions available. Too many are being told that this is the best America can do,” said Daniel Garza, Executive Director of The LIBRE Initiative.
