Statement of US Labor Secretary Perez on September employment numbers

WASHINGTON — U.S. Secretary of Labor Thomas E. Perez issued the following statement about the September 2015 Employment Situation report released today:

"The recovery continued in September, with the economy adding 142,000 new jobs. It was the 67th consecutive month of private-sector job growth, with 13.2 million private jobs created since early 2010. The unemployment rate held steady at 5.1 percent, and the number of people employed part-time for economic reasons has fallen by one million over the past year. Job growth is consistent with the pace we saw in 2012 and 2013, if not as robust as last year's. While the Great Recession is in the rearview mirror, this report is a reminder that we still face significant headwinds. We need to do more to provide people with opportunities to compete for good jobs and earn decent wages.

"The economy remains out of balance, with too many of the benefits of this recovery enjoyed by too few people. While average hourly earnings have increased modestly this year, real wages remain virtually flat over the long term. Too many working families are finding economic stability more and more elusive. They are struggling to get by, let alone get ahead.

"There are steps we can take to restore that balance. In recent weeks at the Labor Department, we have made important investments to do just that — $175 million to expand apprenticeships, nearly $75 million to provide skills training for young people in construction, and support for states and localities as they explore the impact of paid family leave policies. Paid leave can help create a stronger and more inclusive economy, by increasing labor force participation among women.

"There is still more that needs to be done. We need Congress to pass a transportation infrastructure bill that will catalyze job growth. And to provide the certainty that businesses need to stay competitive and create jobs, Congress should fund the government beyond just a few months.

"I am bullish about the progress we have made, but I am even more bullish that we can have an even more robust economy that gives everyone a fair shot to succeed. Working together, we can create shared prosperity for a stronger America."