Goods Production Hammered

The nation’s goods-producing sector got royally hammered during January, with a net loss of 319,000 jobs. Manufacturing bore the brunt of the job losses, with another 207,000 jobs biting the dust, the largest monthly loss since 1982. The sector has lost 1.1 million jobs since the recession began in December 2007.

The nation’s beleaguered construction sector was also hit hard, with the loss of another 111,000 jobs. A total of 781,000 jobs have disappeared since the recession began.

Poor service

The nation’s service-providing sector also was hit hard with an estimated loss of 279,000 jobs during January. The professional and business services sector lost 121,000 jobs, while retail trade lost 45,000 more positions. Leisure and hospitality lost 28,000 jobs.

As usual, education and health services gained employment, with the addition of 54,000 jobs. The government sector, one that never seems to lose many workers, added a net 6,000 new jobs.