Statement by US Secretary of Labor Walsh on the April Jobs Report

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh issued the following statement on the April 2021 Employment Situation Report:

“Today, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the American economy added 266,000 jobs in the month of April, and the unemployment rate was 6.1 percent, up marginally from 6.0 percent in March. Labor force participation is at its highest point since last August and the number of people expressing hesitancy about returning to work due to the coronavirus is at its lowest point in the pandemic.

“However, the numbers also show we have a steep climb ahead of us. We have yet to recover roughly eight million jobs that existed prior to the pandemic. Racial inequities in the unemployment picture persist, as the Black unemployment rate increased slightly to 9.7 percent, the Hispanic rate held level at 7.9 percent, the Asian rate dropped to 5.7 percent and the white rate fell to 5.3 percent.

“These figures underscore how the American Rescue Plan puts us on the path to recovery. It’s increased the speed and access of vaccinations, it’s bringing needed relief to families, it’s enabling daycare centers and schools to reopen, and it’s supporting small businesses. It’s going to take time and effort to heal this economy.”