WASHINGTON, D.C. — According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 943,000 jobs were added in July signaling that the economy is getting back on track. The overall unemployment rate fell by 0.5% to 5.4% as the economy beat expectations. Women’s unemployment rate fell 0.5% to 5.0% from the previous month (seasonally adjusted). For another month in a row, leisure and hospitality experienced notable job gains. In addition, jobs were added in local government education.
Patrice Onwuka, director of the Center for Economic Opportunity (CEO) at Independent Women’s Forum, issued the following statement:
“The economy wants to fire on all cylinders and get millions of workers back online—if only government would get out of the way. The growth in jobs, especially in industries where women are concentrated like leisure, hospitality, and public education, is a great sign that women who want to return to the workforce will find more options and higher wages. For those who don’t want a typical 9-5 job, flexible work opportunities abound.
“It begs the question, why should Washington now try to ram through $1.2 trillion of spending on infrastructure and then another $3.5 trillion of spending on partisan Democratic priorities that could kill flexible work? From generous unemployment benefits that discouraged people from working to lockdowns, government has been a stumbling block to small businesses and the labor force participation. However, when government stepped back, free enterprise stepped forward. Our national leaders should not trip up this economic recovery with massive, wasteful spending that will hamper growth, stunt small business with increased costs, and kill the entrepreneurial spirit in America.”
As part of its workforce campaign, Chasing Work, IWF interviews and produces written profiles and mini-documentary videos of individuals negatively affected by restrictions on worker freedom and flexibility. To learn more, visit: www.iwf.org/chasing-work.
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Independent Women’s Forum is dedicated to developing and advancing policies that aren’t just well intended, but actually enhance people’s freedom, choices, and opportunities.