Unemployment During the Financial Crisis.

by Lionel Creech

Unemployment still continues to haunt the American workforce with over 5.1 million jobs lost since the beginning of 2008, 3.3 million of which have been lost in the past 5 months. The numbers are tough to look at and they are unfortunately close to what was projected. Part-time employees who wish to work full-time rose from 423,000 to 9 million. American workers also face trouble in mobilizing themselves. Typically Americans used to move to where the jobs were, yet the housing market and financial crisis has forced Americans to stay put. Now the market value of many citizen's homes is less than the mortgage on their house which has made it increasingly frustrating. For those 5.1 million citizens who are unemployed, there is aid being granted in certain areas. Recently, companies like Walgreens, Target, Wal-mart, and other retailers are offering free health care services for non-emergency cases such as colds, strep throat, allergies, and skin conditions. For those who have no college degree, Goodwill offers free training in IT, health care, banking, and landscaping. Although unemployment rate is expected to continue rising, taking advantage of these services can help alleviate America's unemployed until the recession flattens out and begins to recover.

Sources

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7981607.stm

http://www.economist.com/world/unitedstates/displaystory.cfm?story_id=13331109

http://money.cnn.com/2009/04/03/pf/saving/free_health_care_willis/index.htm?postversion=2009040311