Statement on the Employment Situation in February

 

WASHINGTON, DC – Jason Furman, Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers, issued the following statement today on the employment situation in February.

Summary: The economy added 242,000 jobs in February, extending the longest streak of private-sector job growth on record.

The robust pace of job creation continued in February as the unemployment rate held at its lowest level since February 2008 and labor force participation rose. Over the past two years, our economy added more private-sector jobs than in any two years since 1999. While these trends speak to the strength of the labor market recovery, and while wages have grown faster than inflation over the last year, more work remains to drive faster wage growth, including investing in infrastructure, implementing high-standards free trade agreements like the Trans-Pacific Partnership, and raising the minimum wage. As discussed in the 2016 Economic Report of the President, these policies are key parts of the President’s agenda for inclusive growth and would help ensure that the benefits of economic growth are shared with all Americans. 

The complete statement can be viewed here. 

Source: The White House, Office of the Press Secretary

 

 President Obama Statement on February Jobs Report

President Obama speaks to reporters about the February jobs report released today by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, which shows the unemployment rate at 4.9 percent.

Click here for video.

Source: C-Span